Kottayam: Unlike the previous years, where it had been in the limelight with bagging leading awards at the national level, the Malayalam film industry had to settle for only five awards this year.
"Ain" directed by Sidharth Siva bagged the award for best Malayalam film. Actor Musthafa got the jury's special mention for his performance in "Ain". The film goes through the life of a witness.
Joshy Mangalath won the award for best script (adaptation) for "Ottaal". "1983", the film which took cricket lovers down the memory lane, brought the award for best background score to Gopi Sunder.
'Ottaal" directed by Jayaraj was adjudged the best environment film. Jayaraj said that the film raises voice against child labour.
Though for films in other languages, three more Keralites won the awards. National award winning singer P Unnikrishnan's eight-year-old daughter Uthara Unnikrishnan has been declared the Best Female playback singer for the Tamil song "Azhagu" ("Saivam"). Joshy Joseph won a special jury award in non-feature film category for his short film.
Vivek Harshan won the award for best editor for Tamil film “Jigar thanda”.