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AwardsNivin Pauly, Anna Ben and Priyamvadha also won Special Jury Awards.Tnm StaffThe highly anticipated Kerala State Awards were announced on Tuesday. Several critically acclaimed films had released in 2019, with Malayalam films also receiving global attention through prestigious film festivals. With veteran cinematographer Madhu Ambat as the chairperson of the jury, 119 films were reportedly in the reckoning in the 50th edition of the awards. Interestingly, 71 of these films were by debut directors. The Best Film Award went to Vasanthi directed by Rahman Brothers, and produced by Shinoz and Sajaz Rahman. The Second Best Film Award went to Kenjira directed by Manoj Kana. Vasanthi stars Swasika in the title role and also has Siju Wilson and Shabareesh in the cast. Speaking about Vasanthi in an interview with Times of India, Siju had said, “It is an experimental venture and not a mass entertainer, but is definitely a film that is worth a theatre experience.

InterviewAs the lone woman in the field, Lakshmi talks of the difficulties she had to endure at work.CrisA chance conversation with director Lijo Jose Pellissery would markedly change Lakshmi Warrier’s life. And career. She was until then working in travel and tourism, with various airlines first and then a small company of her own in Bengaluru. She asked Lijo, a family friend, about movies having ‘travel partners’. Perhaps she could prepare celebrity-special packages, she thought. But Lijo told her it wasn’t a good idea. Why couldn't she try production instead, it was more suited to the vibrant person that Lakshmi was, he suggested. In the years that followed, Lakshmi would create history by becoming the only woman on the job – as a production manager in the Malayalam film industry. “I have moved on now, and am a producer. But it’s been a few eventful years, being...

Mollywood The 4th edition of the awards ceremony will take place on February 16 at the Ima hall in Kochi. Tnm StaffThe 4th edition of the Cinema Paradiso Club Awards ceremony is around the corner and the online fraternity of movie buffs has announced the winners of the 2019 awards in Malayalam cinema. While Aashiq Abu won Best Director for Virus, Kumbalangi Nights which released to packed houses and went on to become a blockbuster, won Best Film. For films Vikruthi, Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 and Driving License, actor Suraj Venjaramoodu won Best Actor in a Lead Role. Anna Ben, who made her acting debut in Kumbalangi Nights, won Best Female Actor in Lead Role for her first film as well as Helen. For Best Actors in Character Roles, Roshan Mathew and Grace Antony won for Moothon and Kumbalangi Nights respectively. Writer Syam Pushkaran bagged the award for Best Script for Kumbalangi Nights.