Kerala shines at 64th National Film Awards

Thiruvananthapuram
Apr 7, 2017
Surabhi C.M., Mohanlal and Peter Hein

The Malayalam film industry has emerged successful in the 64th National Film Awards, that were announced in the capital on Friday, bagging several honours, including that for the Best Actress and Best Screenplay.

Surabhi C.M. won the Best Actress Award for her role in 'Minnaminungu - the Firefly'. This role fetched her only a special mention in the recently announced Kerala State Film awards.

Surabhi, all of 26, was not in Kerala when the announcement was made.

'I now really wish I was in Kerala when this news came. I am here (in Oman) to attend a function. I never ever expected that this award will come to me. I take this opportunity to thank all behind the film and who helped me to win this,' said Surabhi.

At her home in suburban Kozhikode in north Kerala, it was excitement galore as her mother and grandmother could not hide their excitement.

The other awards that the Malayalam film industry won include the Best Child Artiste that has been shared by three child actors -- and saw Kerala boy Adish Praveen bagging it for his role in the film 'Kunju Daivam'.

The Best Screenplay prize went to Shyam Pushkaran for the film 'Maheshinte Prathikaaram', which also bagged the Best Malayalam Film award.

In the Best Sound Design category, Jayadevan Chakadath was choosen as the winner for the film 'Kaadu Pookkunna Neram'.

Superstar Mohanlal won a Special Jury mention for three of his movies which included Telugu film 'Janatha Garage' and two Malayalam films -- 'Pulimurugan' and 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol'.

Peter Hein, who worked on the action scenes in the film 'Pulimurugan' bagged the Best Action Director Award constituted for the first time.

Reacting to the award, Mohanlal said he is very excited as he has got a Special Jury Mention for a film which was not in Malayalam.

'To get it for a Telegu film makes this award all the more sweet. And I am very happy for Peter Hein who bagged the award that was constituted for the first time.

'The film 'Pulimurugan' was one film which saw so many people working very hard and I am happy that it also won the award,' said Mohanlal, who was shooting for his latest film 'Villain' when the news of the award emerged.

He said the shooting of the film came to a standstill and everyone got together and celebrated it by cutting a cake.