New Delhi: Actor and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi received the Manorama News Maker 2024 award from Vice President C P Radhakrishnan at a ceremony held here on Sunday.

Welcoming the audience, Malayala Manorama Executive Editor Jayant Mammen Mathew noted that this was the first time the News Maker title had gone to someone who had made a mark in both cinema and politics.

In his acceptance speech, Suresh Gopi thanked the people of Thrissur for shaping his public life and described the Vice President as a “brotherly friend and mentor”. He said he was especially honoured to receive the award in New Delhi — the first time in the award’s 19-year history that the event was held outside Kerala.

Gopi also drew a parallel between himself and the Vice President: “He is the BJP’s first elected MP to the Lok Sabha from Tamil Nadu, and I am the first from Kerala.”

Gopi, however, alleged that his political affiliation had led to setbacks in Malayalam cinema, claiming that some officials in Kerala prevented his films from being considered for national honours. “Two members of the regional jury blocked my films,” he said, adding that actor Biju Menon might also have missed national recognition for the film due to Gopi's political ties. 

Gopi said the Centre had declined his request to allow the national jury to watch his film even though the regional jury abstained from recommending it, noting that it would be inappropriate for a Union Minister involved in a film to seek such intervention. “I respect the stand, but it was painful to see my films being denied a fair evaluation. Receiving this award in Delhi — the place where I felt that rejection — is emotional,” he said.

He also clarified that he had never applied for a Padma honour. “I know how often some people apply. I have my Bharat award (the former name of the National Award for Best Actor), and that’s enough for me to earn a gun salute one day. But I’m not ruling out future awards,” he added.

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President described Gopi as “the real hero of the day” and recalled how the minister had stood by him even when electoral victory seemed unlikely. Advising Gopi to remain calm in public life, he said, “When people ask questions, don’t get emotional. If you want to answer, do so; otherwise, walk away.”

He also praised Malayala Manorama’s legacy since 1888, calling it a pillar of Indian journalism and commending Manorama News for its credibility, clarity, and role as a leading opinion maker in Kerala.

Gopi was selected for the award through an opinion poll conducted by Manorama News in association with KLM Axiva Finvest. Other nominees included PV Anvar, Shafi Parambil and PR Sreejesh, with the winner chosen through an online poll on ManoramaNews.com/NewsMaker.