National Film Awards: Malayalam shines as Bengali, Marathi films hog limelight

"It was quite unexpected, just as any other award," said ace actor Mohanlal after a quick celebration in the sets of the upcoming B Unnikrishnan film. "I am happy and accept the award with love. I am especially happy for the award for the performance in the Telugu film,” he added.
 

But the special jury mention for his performances in Pulimurugan, Munthirivallikal Thalirthappol and Janata Garage was never a surprise for film enthusiasts. 

 

The real surprise, perhaps, was Surabhi who bagged the national award for best actress for her performance in  Minnaminungu (firefly). She played a de-glam role of a widow in her forties. It was the first lead role in the mainstream Malayalam Film of the talented artist who hit big screen after a long stint in theatre and television.

“Like any artist, I hoped and wished to get some award. I prayed hard for that too. But I never expected an award for the best actress,” Surabhi said over phone from Salalah in Oman. Surabhi had won the special jury mention in the state film awards for her performance in the film.

 

"Jury was unanimous in giving her the award. She was carrying the film on her shoulders. At the end of film (Minnaminungu) her character was the only one remains in our mind," Priyadarshan, the chairman of the national award jury praised Surabhi.  

Watch teaser of Minnaminungu:

RS Vimal, regional jury member of the film awards, also praised Surabhi. “It was a five member regional jury for Tamil and Malayalam. All the jury members praised the exceptional performance of Surabhi in the film.”

 

Malayalam films and artists bagged seven awards, including best actress, best screen play and best child artist.

 

Awards for Malayalam

• Best Actress: Surabhi (Minnnaminungu)
• Special Jury mention: Mohanlal (Janata Garage, Pulimurugan, Munthirivallikal pookumbol)
• Screen play: Shyam Pushkaran (Maheshinte Prathikaram)
• Child Artist: Adish Praveen (Kunju Daivam)
• Best documentary: Chembai
• Best sound design: Jayadevan (Kadupookkunna Neram)
• Action Director: Peter Hein (Pulimurugan)
   

“Marathi and Bengali were very dominating. The only South Indian language films that reached near them was Malayalam,” Jury Chairman Priyadarshan told Asianet News. “Most of the impressive works were by new directors. The jury also considered five films rejected by regional committees,” he said.