KOCHI: Ending a 28-year wait, Mammootty on Saturday won his fourth National Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam, leading a strong showing by Malayalam cinema at the 72nd National Film Awards, where Mollywood bagged four honours.
The veteran actor was last honoured with the National Award in 1998 for Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. He had earlier won the Best Actor award in 1989 for Mathilukal and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and in 1993 for Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan.
Apart from Mammootty’s win, Bramayugam, directed by Rahul Sadasivan, also fetched Shahnad Jalal the National Award for Best Cinematography, adding to the film’s impressive awards tally after it secured three Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actor for Mammootty.
Malayalam cinema’s other winners included singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, who won the Best Female Playback Singer award for ‘Angu Vaana Konilu...’ from A.R.M. (Ajayante Randam Moshanam). Feminichi Fathima, written and directed by Fasil Muhammed, was adjudged the Best Malayalam Film, while the non-feature film Bhadra Kali Natakam received a Special Jury Mention.
Expressing joy over the recognition, Fasil Muhammed said the honour was particularly special as Feminichi Fathima was a low-budget debut film made by a five-member crew in their own locality. “I was happy when the film won the Kerala State Film Awards. This recognition makes me even happier,” he said.
Congratulating the winners, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said Malayalam cinema had once again made the state proud on the national stage.
Satheesan also congratulated Shahnad Jalal, Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, director Fasil Muhammed and the team behind Feminichi Fathima, besides the makers of Bhadra Kali Natakam, for bringing laurels to Kerala and Malayalam cinema. Later in the day, the chief minister personally telephoned Mammootty to congratulate him on the prestigious honour.
Along with Bramayugam, Malayalam films Manjummel Boys and Kishkinda Kandam had also figured prominently among this year’s contenders, underscoring another strong year for the state’s film industry.
Malayalam winners at the 72nd National
Film Awards
Best Actor: Mammootty – Bramayugam (Kodumon Potti)
Best Cinematography: Shehnad Jalal – Bramayugam
Best Female Playback Singer: Vaikom Vijayalakshmi – ‘Angu Vaana Konilu’ (A.R.M. – Ajayante Randam Moshanam)
Best Malayalam Film: Feminichi Fathima (Director: Fasil Muhammed)
Special Jury Mention (Non-Feature Film): Bhadra Kali Natakam
Mammootty’s National Awards (Best Actor)
1989: Mathilukal and Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
1993: Ponthan Mada and Vidheyan
1998: Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar
2024: – Bramayugam (announced in 2026)
