‘Aadujeevitham’ dominates Kerala State Film Awards 2023 with nine honors

Thiruvananthapuram:
Aadujeevitham, the cinematic adaptation of Benyamin’s celebrated novel, emerged as the most decorated film at the 2023 Kerala State Film Awards, securing nine accolades across major categories, including Best Director and Best Actor (Male).

The film’s director, Blessy, was honoured with the Best Director award for his nuanced and technically accomplished portrayal of the migrant experience, bringing to screen the emotional and physical isolation endured by a labourer in the deserts of the Gulf. Prithviraj Sukumaran received the Best Actor award for his intense performance as Najeeb, a man caught in harrowing circumstances. The jury commended his physical transformation and the deeply felt portrayal of helplessness and resilience conveyed through a restrained yet powerful performance.

Sunil K.S. was adjudged Best Cinematographer for Aadujeevitham, with the jury noting his skilful use of light and shade to reflect the emotional landscape of the narrative. Blessy also won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay, recognised for his sensitive reimagining of the literary text for the screen.

The award for Best Sound Mixing was shared by Resul Pookkutty and Sarath Mohan for their work in Aadujeevitham, praised for its immersive blend of ambient sounds, dialogues, and music evoking the vast silence of the desert. Ranjith Ambady was named Best Makeup Artist for his contribution to capturing the film’s temporal shifts and physical transformations of its characters.

Actor K.R. Gokul received a Special Jury Mention for his role in the film, lauded for a performance that matched the emotional depth of the lead, effectively portraying the desperation and silent struggle for survival.

Kaathal – The Core, directed by Jeo Baby, was adjudged Best Film in a strong showing for socially relevant cinema. The jury cited its bold thematic exploration of acceptance, diversity, and emotional complexity beyond conventional relationship narratives. The film also won awards for Best Background Score (Mathews Pulickal), Best Writer (Adarsh Sukumaran), and received a Special Jury Mention for Sudhi Kozhikode, noted for his restrained depiction of internal conflict.

Iratta, directed by Rohith M.G. Krishnan, was selected as the Second Best Film. The jury appreciated its psychological exploration of childhood trauma and emotional fragmentation through the lives of estranged twins. The film also earned the award for Best Original Screenplay.

Full list of awardees:

• Best Film – Kaathal: The Core

• Best Actor (Male) – Prithviraj Sukumaran (Aadujeevitham)

• Best Actor (Female) – Urvashi (Ullozhukku), Beena R Chandran (Thadavu)

• Best Director – Blessy (Aadujeevitham)

• Second Best Film – Iratta (Rohith M.G. Krishnan)

• Best Playback Singer (Male) – Vidyadharan Master (Jananam 1947: Pranayam Thudarunnu)

• Best Background Score – Mathews Pulickal (Kaathal: The Core)

• Best Music Director – Justin Varghese (Chaaver)

• Best Adapted Screenplay – Blessy (Aadujeevitham)

• Best Original Screenplay – Rohith M.G. Krishnan (Iratta)

• Best Debut Director – Fasil Razaq

• Best Dubbing Artist (Male) – Roshan Mathew (Ullozhukku)

• Best Dubbing Artist (Female) – Sumangala (Stree – Jananam 1947: Pranayam Thudarunnu)

• Best Costume Design – Femina Jabbar (O. Baby)

• Best Makeup Artist – Ranjith Ambady (Aadujeevitham)

• Best Sound Recording – Jayadevan Chakkadath, Anil Devan (Ullozhukku)

• Best Sound Mixing – Resul Pookkutty, Sarath Mohan (Aadujeevitham)

• Best Art Direction – Mohandas (2018), Fasil Razaq

• Best Literary Work on Cinema – Mazhavil Kanniloode Cinema

• Special Mentions – K.R. Gokul (Aadujeevitham), Sudhi Kozhikode (Kaathal: The Core), Krishnan (Jaivam)

• No award was given in the Best Children’s Film category

The Kerala State Film Awards continue to recognise and celebrate excellence in Malayalam cinema, emphasizing narratives of survival, identity, and social complexity this year.