The 53rd edition of Kerala State Film awards were finally announced on 21st July 2023 after being postponed from 19th July 2023 due to the demise of Hon. ex. Kerala Cheif Minister Shri. Oommen Chandy. The awards were announced by Hon. Minister for Cultural Affairs, Shri. Saji Cherian. Mammootty and Vincy Aloshious bagged the awards for Best Actor and Actress for the movies Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and Rekha respectively . Mammootty wins the prestigious Best Actor Award for the 6th time in his career. Mahesh Narayanan wins the Best Director award for the movie Ariyippu. Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Nan Pakal Nerath Mayakkam, wins the award for Best Movie. Kunchako Boban, who was in the race with Mammootty for Best Actor Award wins the Special Jury award for Nna Thaan Case Kodu.
During the announcement of Kerala State Film Awards, Minister Saji Cherian declared that out of 154 film submissions, 49 movies reached the final round for consideration for the awards. He highlighted that 19 of these submissions were from debutant filmmakers, indicating progress in the Malayalam film industry. Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith and Vice-chairman Premkumar were also present at the event.
The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy organized the Kerala State Film Awards in which a jury led by renowned Bengali film director and screenwriter, Goutam Ghose. The jury also included actor Gauthami, cinematographer Hari Nair, singer Jency Gregory, and sound designer D Yuvaraj. They were responsible for selecting the winners of the awards.
Ratheesh Balakrishna Pothuvaal’s Nna Thaan Case Kodu was the main attraction of the evening. The film bagged 7 awards including most popular movie, best screenplay, Best background score etc.
Following is the full list of all the winners of Kerala State Film Awards :
Best Film : Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam
Second Best Film : Adithattu
Best Actor : Mammootty (Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam)
Best Actress : Vincy Aloshious (Rekha)
Best Director : Mahesh Narayanan (Ariyippu)
Special Award in Any Category for Women/Transgender : Shruthi Sharanyam (B 32 Muthal 44 Vare)
Best Character Actor : P P Kunjikrishnan (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Character Actress : Devi Varma(Saudi Vellakka)
Best Children’s Film : Pallotty 90’s Kids
Best Story Writer : Kamal KM (Pada)
Best Screenplay (Original) : Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Screenplay (Adapted) : Rajesh Pinnadan (Oru Thekkan Thallu Case)
Best Child Actor : Master Da Vinci (Pallotty 90’s Kids)
Best Child Actress : Thanmaya (Vazhakku)
Most Popular Movie : Enna Thaan Case Kodu
Best Debutant Director : Shahi Kabir (Ela Veezha Poonchira)
Best Music Director : M Jayachandran (Pathonpathaam Noottaandu & Ayisha)
Best Male Singer : Kapil Kapilan (Pallotty 90’s Kids)
Best Female Singer : Mridula Warrier (Pathonpathaam Noottaandu)
Best Background Score : Dawn Vincent (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Lyricist : Rafeeq Ahammed (Viddikalude Maash)
Best Film Editor : Nishad Yousuf (Thallumaala)
Best Cinematographer : Manesh Madhavan (Ela Veezha Poonchira) and Chandru Selvaraj (Vazhakku)
Best Sound Design : Ajayan Adat (Ela Veezha Poonchira)
Best Sound Mixing : Vipin Nair (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Sync Sound : Vysakh VV (Ariyippu)
Best Choreographer : Shobi Paul Raj (Thallumaala)
Best Dubbing Artist (Female) : Pauly Valson (Saudi Vellakka)
Best Dubbing Artist (Male) : Shobi Thilakan (Pathonpathaam Noottandu)
Best Makeup Artist : Ronex Xavier (Bheeshmaparvam)
Best Costume Designer : Manjusha Radhakrishnan (Saudi Vellakka)
Best Art Director : Jyothish Sankar (Nna Thaan Case Kodu)
Best Visual Effects : Aneesh T, Sumesh Gopal (Vazhakku)