Overview
- Kerala Minister Saji Cherian announced the winners in Thrissur after a seven-member jury led by Prakash Raj evaluated entries from 128 films, with 26 shortlisted.
- Chidambaram S Poduval won Best Director for Manjummel Boys, which also took multiple technical prizes; media tallies differ on whether the film won nine or ten awards.
- Mammootty was named Best Actor for Bramayugam and Shamla Hamza won Best Actress for Feminichi Fathima, which also earned Second Best Film and Best Debut Director for Fasil Muhammed.
- Premalu was recognized as Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value, while Special Jury acting mentions went to Asif Ali, Tovino Thomas, Darshana Rajendran, and Jyothirmayi.
- Jury chair Prakash Raj criticized the National Film Awards as “compromised” and said they “don’t deserve Mammootty,” and the panel declined to present Best Children’s Film and Best Child Artist due to a lack of suitable entries.