Kerala State Film Awards 2025: Mammootty Shines, Manjummel Boys Dominate the Winners List

The announcement of the 55th Kerala State Film Awards (for films of 2024) at Thrissur on November 3, 2025, was the long-awaited event for Keralan moviegoers, and it was nothing short of magnificent.  By winning his seventh Best Actor award, veteran actor Mammootty set a new milestone.  The night was dominated by the survival-thriller movie Manjummel Boys, which took home several major awards, including Best Director and Best Film.  With these victories, Malayalam film is experiencing a dynamic period that blends storytelling fire with technical mastery and legacy with new potential.

 

In this blog, we’ll examine what made this year’s awards so noteworthy, consider Mammootty’s momentous accomplishment, examine the Manjummel Boys’ victory, and consider the implications of all of this for the industry going ahead.

 

Why This Edition Stands Out

Two significant headline-makers are:

1. Mammootty’s historic victory.
2. Manjummel Boys are winning in every category.

 

Let’s take a closer look.

Mammootty’s Record Break:

Mammootty’s performance in the movie Bramayugam earned him the Best Actor (Male) award.  With this victory, he now has seven Best Actor awards overall, the most in Kerala State Film Awards history.

 

What makes it so important?

1. It highlights his persistent talent, adaptability, and significance in a field that is always evolving.
2. It puts him in a position that no one else can match, even when compared to other legends like Mohanlal, who has six.
3. It conveys the idea that constant excellence is still important.

 

Manjummel Boys Sweeps Big

Manjummel Boys, on the other hand, won nine prizes, including Best Film and Best filmmaker (for filmmaker Chidambaram S. Poduval), along with a number of technical accolades, making them the night’s biggest winner.

 

Why this matters:

1. Beyond acting, this film received praise for its sound design, art direction, and cinematography, demonstrating the technical prowess of Malayalam cinema.  
2. It demonstrates how newer tales and younger filmmakers are receiving a lot of attention.
3. It exhibits a powerful fusion of technique and storytelling that appealed to the audience and jury.

 

The Numbers & Highlights

The following important facts help to clarify this edition:

1. This year, 128 films in all were submitted for review.
2. Actor-director Prakash Raj served as the jury’s chairman.
3. Bramayugam’s victory solidified Mammootty’s record status.
4. Manjummel Boys received a complete sweep of awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography (Shyju Khalid), Best Art/Production Design, and Best Sound Mixing.
5. Other noteworthy winners: For the movie Feminichi Fathima, Shamla Hamza took up the Best Actress award.

Together, these details depict an extremely competitive, varied, and lively awards edition.

 

What It Means for Malayalam Cinema

Legacy + New Generation

The victory of Mammootty is a celebration of tradition.  He has been giving amazing performances for decades, and this honour shows that years of experience or age are not a hindrance to greatness.  Conversely, Manjummel Boys demonstrates the emergence of the next generation with innovative storytelling, new voices, and superior craftsmanship.  Its rapid performance in all areas is indicative of a healthy ecology.

 

Technical Craft Gets Spotlight

Technical departments (sound, art design, and cinematography) received significant attention, particularly with Manjummel Boys.  This implies that Malayalam cinema is about sophisticated production values and captivating experiences in addition to excellent storylines and performances.  For the industry as a whole, that is fantastic.

 

Storytelling Motivated by Diversity and Realism

The focus seems to be on grounded, daring, and unique narrative, from the brief on Manjummel Boys (a survival drama based on a true event) to Mammootty’s role in Bramayugam.  Risk-taking movies are rewarded.  Both the art and the audience benefit from that.

 

What To Watch Going Forward

Here are some things to watch in light of this impressive performance:

 

1. More tales of daring: The jury’s recognition of both classic and avant-garde works may inspire filmmakers to tackle unorthodox subjects.
2. Improvements in technology: Budgets and efforts may shift more toward superior sound, graphics, and design as technical craft gains recognition.
3. Audience expectations: Audiences will demand more sophisticated filmmaking if this calibre of performance is rewarded.
4. Intergenerational cooperation: It may become increasingly common for seasoned actors like Mammootty to collaborate with up-and-coming filmmakers or new projects.
5. The rise of regional cinema: Malayalam cinema is already becoming more well-known in India and abroad.  Its impact could grow much further if prizes like these strengthen the talent pool.

 

Final Thoughts

The 55th Kerala State Film Awards offered both nostalgia and innovation to moviegoers like us.  While the Manjummel Boys’ resounding victory indicates that fresh voices and skillful craftsmanship are definitely the way of the future, Mammootty’s unprecedented seventh victory serves as a reminder of the art of longevity.

 

This year’s Oscars provide enough to enjoy if you’re a fan of Malayalam cinema: performances that touched us, tales that left us reeling, and striking sights and sounds.

Thus, here’s to more daring screenplays, more exceptional performances, and even more success for Malayalam cinema in the years to come!