Kerala State Film Awards 2021: Fahadh, Biju Menon, Samyuktha frontrunners, Suhasini jury chairperson

Despite theatres remaining shut, there has been no glut in terms of films that are competing for the prestigious Kerala State Film Awards this year. According to preliminary reports, 80 movies from the past years will be in contention for the awards.

This year’s jury will be headed by actress-director Suhasini Maniratnam with Kannada filmmaker P Seshadri and Bhadran leading the two sub committees that will be screening the movies and picking the top ones for the next round.

While there were only limited theatrical releases due to the pandemic, the past year has been great for Malayalam cinema. According to reports, Anna Ben (Kappela), Nimisha Sajayan (The Great Indian Kitchen) and Parvathy Thiruvothu (Varthamanam) are the frontrunners for the Best Actress Award. Surabhi Lakshmi and Samyuktha Menon, who shared the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Actress, are also leading contenders with their performances in Jwalamukhi, and Vellam, Aanum Pennum and Wolf, respectively.

In terms of actors, Biju Menon (Ayyappanum Koshiyum), Fahadh Faasil (Trance and Malik), Jayasurya (Vellam and Sunny), Suraj Venjaramoodu (The Great Indian Kitchen) and Indrans (Velukakka Oppu Ka) are the frontrunners for the Best Actor Award. Biju Menon had earlier shared the Kerala Film Critics Award for the Best Actor with his co-star Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Leading the race for the best director’s award is the late Sachy, who had helmed and scripted Ayyappanum Koshiyum, and Mahesh Narayanan, for C U Soon and Malik. Meanwhile, director Harikumar (Jwalamukhi), Shyamaprasad (Kassiminte Kadal), Sidhartha Siva (Ennivar), Prajesh Sen (Vellam) and Dr Biju (Orangemarangalude Veedu) are the other contenders.

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