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The Kerala Film Critics Awards 2025 have been officially declared. Mohanlal won the Best Actor award. He was recognised for his performances in his recent films 'Thudarum' and 'Hridayapoorvam'. The Best Film award went to Dinjith Ayyathan's 'Eko' which stars Sandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Ashokan and others in the lead. Director Dominic Arun was named Best Director for the superhero film 'Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra'.

Best Actress category sharedThe Best Actress award was shared this year. Kalyani Priyadarshan and Anaswara Rajan were honoured.

Kalyani received the award for her role in 'Lokah'. Anaswara was recognised for her performances in 'Rekhachithram' and 'Mr. & Mrs. Bachelor'.

The Film Critics Awards are considered one of the most credible honours in Kerala after the State Awards.

This year, around 60 films were submitted. The awards were announced by jury chairman Dr. George Onakkoor and general secretary Thekkinkad Joseph.

The jury panel also included Dr. Aravindan Vallachira, Dr. Jose K. Manuel, and A. Chandrasekhar.

Special honours and recognitionsThe Chalachitra Ratnam award will be presented to M. G. Sreekumar who is being honoured for his overall contribution to cinema. Filmmaker Priyadarshan will receive the Critics Ruby Jubilee Award. He is recognised for elevating Malayalam cinema across India.

The Chalachitra Prathibha awards will be given to several prominent names. These include T. G. Ravi, Indrans, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, Kalliyur Sasi, Urmila Unni, and B. Arundhathi.

Other key award winners

Several other categories saw notable winners. 'Rekhachithram' was named Second Best Film.

Prakash Varma and Dileesh Pothan won Second Best Actor. Honey Rose and Shubha Wayanad shared Second Best Actress.

Special Jury Awards for acting were given to multiple performers, including Dr. Manoj Govindan and Sangeeth Prathap.

Jakes Bejoy won Best Music Director for 'Narivetta' and 'Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra'. Sithara Krishnakumar and J.R. Divya Nair won Best Female Playback Singer.

Navaneeth Unnikrishnan won Best Male Playback Singer. Other technical awards included cinematography, editing, sound mixing, and costume design.

Nivin Pauly starrer 'Sarvam Maya' was named Best Popular Film. 'Daivathan Kunnu' (The Mountain of Gods) and 'Pachatheyyam' won Best Children’s Film.

In other categories, 'Victoria' won Best Women-Centric Film, while 'Kalyanamaram' and 'Bhoothalam' won Best Environmental Film.

Sivakarthikeyan starrer 'Parasakthi' was awarded Best Foreign Language Film.

Full list of winners:

Best Film: Eko

Second Best Film: Rekhachithram

Best Director: Dominic Arun (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)

Best Actor: Mohanlal (Thudarum, Hridayapoorvam)

Best Actress: Kalyani Priyadarshan (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra), Anaswara Rajan (Rekhachithram, Mr and Mrs Bachelor)

Best Supporting Actor: Prakash Varma (Thudarum), Dileesh Pothen (Ronth)

Best Supporting Actress: Honey Rose (Rachel), Shubha Wayanad (Shanti: The Reflection of Truth)

Special Jury Award (Acting): Manoj Govindan, Sangeeth Prathap, Sandeep Pradeep, Twinkle Joby, Meenakshi

Best Child Artist: Dharmik Sudhakaran (Pachatheyam), Devananda Jibin (Kalyanamaram)

Best Story: G R Indugopan (Ponman)

Best Screenplay: Rajesh Thillankeri (A Pregnant Widow)

Best Cinematographer: Muhammed A (Thanthapperu)

Best Editor: Praveen Prabhakar (Kalamkaval)

Best Sound Mixing: M R Rajakrishnan (L2: Empuraan)

Best Art Director: Sunil Lavanya (Jagala)


Best Biblical Film: The Third Number

Best Debut Actor: Riya Shibu (Sarvam Maya)

Best Debut Directors: Jithin K Jose (Kalamkaval), Sharan Venugopal (Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal), Prashanth Vijay (Ithiri Neram), Manoj Govindan (Nobody), Shaju Valappan (Shadow Traders)

Best Debut Screenplay: Santhy Balachandran (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)

Best Make-up Artist: Ronex Xavier (Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)

Best Costume Design: Minima Shaji (Moonnam Nombaram)

Best Popular Film: Sarvam Maya

Best Children’s Film: Deivathankunnu, Pachatheeyam

Best Film for National Integration: Khidki Gaav

Best Women’s Film: Victoria

Best Original Films: Samastha Lokah, Mindiyum Paranjum, Moonwalk, Chinna Chinna Aasai, Karuthal

Best Environmental Film: Kalyanamaram, Bhoothalam

Best Socially Relevant Film: Ariku, Swalih

Best Lyricist: Mahesh Gopal (Mr and Mrs Bachelor), Murali Neelambari (Vadu)

Best Music Director: Jakes Bejoy (Narivetta, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra)

Best Playback Singer (Male): Navaneeth Unnikrishnan (“Vidaparayam”, Hridayapoorvam)

Best Playback Singer (Female): Sithara Krishnakumar (“Minnalvala”, Narivetta), J R Divya Nair (“Madhuramayoru Kokila Naadam”, Nerariyum Nerath)