Kottayam: Mohanlal and Manju Warrier were adjudged best actor and actress as the Vanitha-Cera film awards were announced on Tuesday.
Mohanlal, who had a terrific 2016, bagged the best actor award for his roles in Oppam and Pulimurugan. Manju Warrier won the honor for her role as a volleyball coach in Karinkunnam 6'S.
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Nivin Pauly and Anusree were named popular actor and actress respectively. Rajeev Ravi won the best director honor for Kammatipaadam, while master filmmaker K. G. George clinched the lifetime achievement award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Maheshinte Prathikaram directed by debutant Dileesh Pothan and produced by Aashiq Abu was chosen as the best film. Blockbuster Pulimurugan directed by Vaisakh and produced by Tomichan Mulakuppadam was selected the most popular film.
Nivin Pauly-starrer Action Hero Biju, directed by Abrid Shine, won the special award for film with social commitment.
The awards were chosen by more than one lakh readers who filled in the nominations published in Malayala Manorama and Vanitha and voted through Manorama Online, Vanitha Online and special booths.
Other award winners: Special performance (actor): Vinayakan (Kammatipaadam)
Special performance (actress): Asha Sarath (Anuraga Karikkin Vellam)
Scriptwriter: P. Balachandran (Kammatipaadam)
Supporting actor: Siddique (Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan and Annmariya Kalippilanu)
Supporting actress: Rohini (Action Hero Biju and Guppy)
Best on-scree couple: Asif Ali and Rajisha Vijayan (Anuraga Karikkin Vellam)
Best villain: Chemban Vinod (Kali)
Best comedian: Dharmajan Bolgatty (Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan)
Best male singer: M.G. Sreekumar (Chinnamma – Oppam)
Best female singer: Vani Jayaram (Manathe marikurumbe – Pulimurugan)
Best lyricist: Santhosh Varma (Pookal panineer pookal – Action Hero Biju)
Best music director: Bijibal (Maheshinte Prathikaram)
Best cinematographer: Shyju Khalid (Maheshinte Prathikaram)
Best newcomer (actor): Vishnu Unnikrishnan (Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan)
Best newcomer (actress): Prayaga Martin (Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan)
Best debutant director: Khalid Rahman (Anuraga Karikkin Vellam)
Best choreographer: Kala Master (Oppam)