After a tight race, it was 22-year-old Nimisha Sajayan who was chosen as the best actress in the Kerala State Film awards.
Veteran actress Manju Warrier and Aishwarya Lekshmi were the contenders for the coveted award.
Manju Warrier was considered for Aami, but her performance could not justify the portrayal of poet Kamla Das on which the biopic was based, sources said.
Manju's approach to the role was overtly dramatic and this did not sync with the character, thereby ruling her out of contention.
Aishwarya Lekshmi managed to impress the jury with her fine performance in Varathan, but the movie barely managed to enter the final rounds.
This could have had some impact on Aishwarya's chances, according to sources.
In case of Nimisha, the actress was chosen for her two diverse roles in Chola and Oru Kuprasidha Paiyyan.
In Chola, her character portrayed a school girl. A realistic performance as an advocate in Oru Kuprasidha Paiyyan meant that the jury's decision could not have gone to the others.
In the category of character actress, Sudani from Nigeria fame Savithiri Sreedharan and Sarasa Balusseri found a place among the contendors.
KPAC Leela in 'Roudram' was the other chocice.
Though the jury favoured Savithiri Sreedharan and Sarasa Balusseri, it decided to give special mention to KPAC Leela.
The 104 movies which contested in different categories were split into three groups and only 20 of the total made it to the final rounds. They were: Roudram, Chola, Olu, Aami, Njan Marykutty, Njan Prakashan, Carbon, Kanthan, Pani, And the Oscar goes to, Kammarasambhavam, Pengalile, Oru Kuprasidha Paiyyan, Captain, Joseph, Silencer, Oru Njazharcha, Sudhani from Nigeria, Oru Kattil Oru Paikappal, 24 days.
