'Celluloid,' a featurefilm directed by Kamal based on the life of J C Daniel, thepioneer of Malayalam cinema has won the Kerala state award forbest film for the year 2012.
The Jury chaired by director I V Sasi chose Lal Jose asthe best director for the film 'Ayalum Nhanum Thammil,' whichalso won the award for best popular film with artistic appeal.
Prithviraj was adjudged the best actor for his roles in'Celluloid' and 'Ayalum Nhanum Thammil,' while Reema Kallingalwas chosen the best actress for her performance in 'Nidra' and'22 Female Kottayam.' Salim Kumar won the award for bestcomedy actor.
'Ozhimuri' directed by Madhupal was selected as thesecond best film. Manoj K Jayan (Kaliyachan) and AjithaMadathil (Shutter) won the award for second best actors.
Farooq Abdul Rahman won the award for best debut directorfor the film `Kaliyachan.'
The award for best cinematography went to MadhuNeelakantan for camera work in `Annayum Resulum,' while BAjith Kumar won the award for editing for the same film.
Manoj Kana won the award for best script (Chayilyam) andAnjali Menon got the award for best screenplay (Manjadikkuru).
M Jayachandran was chosen the best music director (song) for'Celluloid,' while the award for background score went toBijibal (Kaliyachan, Ozhimuri).
Vijay Yesudas (Grandmaster, Spirit) and Sithara(Celluloid) won the awards for best playback singers.
'Papilio Buddha,' a film on the plight of Dalits directedby Jayan Cheriyan won a special jury award.
Other awardees are: Master Minon, Vyjayanthi (best childartistes), Rafeeq Ahamed (lyricist), Suresh Kollam (artdirection), M R Rajakrishnan (sound recordist), Jayadev(Colourist), M G Roshan (make-up), S B Sathish (costume) andVimmy Mariam George (dubbing).
Sreeram and, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi got a special jurymention for their song in `Celluloid,' and Saritha for herrole in 'Papilio Buddha.'
'Cinemayude Nottangal' by K Gopinath was chosen as the best book on cinema while `Nirangalude Soundya Rashtriyangal'was selected as the best article.
The Jury had to choose from a record number of 84 filmsproduced last year which competed for the honours.
Jury chairman I V Sasi said while there were qualityfilms, more than half of them were 'unbearable.'
The Jury recommended that special awards be introducedfor live recording and special visual effects. A preliminarypanel could select films if the entries exceeded 50 films,they suggested.
The awards were announced by Minister for Cinema K BGanesh Kumar. He said the State Chalachitra Academy wasconsidering introduction of an entry fee for films from nextyear.