KOCHI: Kerala minister for culture A K Balan will announce the 48th Kerala Film Awards at 5 pm today More than 30 awards will be announced.
The 10-member jury is led by Odisha director AK Bir and includes directors Sundar Dass, Sudevan, Priyanandan, actor Shanti Krishna, singer VT Murali, writer PF Mathews, sound designer Arun Nambiar, critic Dr. Meena T Pillai and Kerala Chalachitra Academy secretary Mahesh Panju (member secretary).
A total of 68 movies were initially considered for the award, out of which 15 were reportedly short-listed by the jury in various categories after watching the movies at the Kinfra Film and Video Park at Kazhakkoottam.
The top contenders for best film and best director are Kammatipaadam (Rajeev Ravi ), Maheshinte Prathikaram (Dileesh Pothan), Kaadu Pookunna Neram (Dr Biju), Manhole (Vidhu Vincent ), Ayal Sasi (Sajin Babu), Karutha Joothan (Salim Kumar) and Pinneyum (Adoor Gopalakrishnan).
Mohanlal (Pulimurugan, Oppam) Vinayagan and Manikantan (Kammatipaadam) Sreenivasan ( Ayal Sasi), Fahadh Faazil (Maheshinte Prathikaram) Salim Kumar (Karutha Joothan) are in the race for the best actor award while Rima Kallingal and Kavya Madhavan are front runners for the best actor (female).
Pulimurugan (Vysakh), Oppam (Priyadarshan), Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol (Jibu Jacob), Jomonte Suvisheshangal (Sathyan Anthikakd) are in consideration for the most popular film along with Maheshinte Prathikaram.
Ann Maria Kalippilaanu (Midhun Manuel Thomas), Guppy (John Paul George), Kismath (Shanavas K Bavakkutty), Aaradi (Saji Palamel) and Oru Muthassi Gadha(Jude Anthony Joseph ) are also in the race for awards in various category.