Young actor Nivin Pauly shared the best actor title with upcoming Sudev Nair while Nazriya Nazim was adjudged the best actress in the 45th Kerala State Film Awards, announced here today.
Jayaraj-directed Ottal, which recently bagged national award in the best environment film category, was selected as the best feature film by the nine-member jury headed by veteran screenplay writer and critic John Paul.
Sanalkumar Sasisharan, the director of the critically acclaimed Oralpokkam adjudged the best director award.
While Nivin's down-to-earth performance in Bangalore Days and 1983 won him the recognition, the exceptional performance in Padmakumar's My Life Partner helped Sudev bagged the unexpected honour. Nazriya won the recognition for her performance in super hit movies Om Shanti Oshana and Bangalore Days.
While the director and producer of the best film and the best director will get Rs two lakh each, citation and a plaque, the actor and actress will get Rs 50,000, citation and plaque, state Minister for Cinema Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told reporters here.
Veteran singer KJ Yesudas won the award for the best playback singer for his song in White Boys while Shreya Ghoshal became the best singer in the female category for her hit number in the movie How Old Are You.
Ramesh Narayanan was chosen as the best music director for his songs in White Boys.
Expressing happiness over the award, Nivin Pauly told reporters that award was an inspiration and encouragement to better his performance. "It is an added responsibility also," he added.
Nazriya said the state award is definitely a recognition to her. "It is nice that people still remember me," the 20-year-old Nazriya, who is keeping away from acting after getting married to actor Fahad Fazil, said.
