Malayalam Awards Kerala State Film Award 2019 - Cast & Crew

Sarasa Balussery is a theatre artist and actress in the Indian Film Industry. She has more than fifty years of experience in performing arts and theatrics. She hailed from a financially weak family and had taken the responsibility of her four younger brothers and her father from an early age. She started doing plays to earn money for her family and later on found solace in them. She did her first play at the age of eighteen. The play had the title of ‘Hindusthan Humara Hai’ directed by Sri Ganesh Samiti. She was also part of the show Stage India in the city of Kozhikode. Sarasa was born in the year 1949 in Kozhikode, Kerala.

Savithri Sridharan is an actor in the Malayalam Film Industry. She has devoted fifty-six precious years of her life to theatrics and acting and have acted in an uncountable number of plays in her whole life. She is the real inspiration to the youngsters who want to work in the theatre and create valuable and subtle content. Her life is a reflection of hard work, dedication and commitment for her dreams With crossing the age bar of seventy years, the talented actress started her journey at the early age of sixteen with theatrics. She started following her dreams from that time and always wished to make it to the big screen. She learned dancing to incorporate a plus point in her theatrical performances. She has done eminent plays like Chiranthana, Kalinga, and Sangaman and got good reviews on her acting in each one of them.

Shreya Ghoshal, one of the most famous singers in Bollywood today, was born on March 12th, 1984, in Berhampore, West Bengal. Her father Biswajit Ghoshal is an electrical engineer and mother Sharmistha Ghoshal is a postgraduate in literature. She started singing since the age of 4 when her mother taught her. She started her formal training in Hindustani classical Gharana of music when she was only six years old. She was trained for 18 months after which she continued her training in Mumbai with Late Mukta Bhideji. She completed her graduation in Arts with majors in English. Her first on-stage performance was at their club’s annual function. Her first studio album was in Bengali in 19998 and was named Bendhechhi Beena, and her first onscreen performance was in Awaz Nayi Andaaz Wohi. In 1995, she became the winner of All India Light Vocal Music Competition. Her fame and career began with her winning a television singing reality show named Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

Nimisha Sajayan is an Indian Actress. She works in the Malayalam Film Industry. Nimisha was born on the 4th of January in the year 1997. She is from Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her father Mr. Sajayan is an engineer, and her mother is Mrs. Bindu. They're from Kerala but later migrated to Mumbai. She has an elder sister named Nithu. She had her schooling from Carmel Convent School in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Vinesh Bangaln is a Production Designer. The Kerala State Film Award for Best Art Director and the National Film Award for Best Production Design were both given to him in 2018. (2018). His job as a production designer assistant on one of his friends' movies began after he finished his 12th-grade education. In 2011, he started his first independent project, "Chaappa Kurdish," a thriller film in Malayalam that Sameer Thahir also co-wrote and directed. With more than 30 films under his belt, he received the Kerala State Film Award and the National Award for Best Production Design for Rathish Ambat's film Kammara Sambhavam over ten years after its release.

Born on January 1, 1970, in Payyanur, Kerala, K U Mohanan is an Indian movie cinematographer. Raised to a conventional family, he contended energetically proportional up to the best. He is a conceived artist and was exposed to dramatization and silver screen significantly very early in his life.

Prasanna Sujit is one of the most talented choreographers working in the film industry. Born in a family of dancers, Prasanna is the youngest generation of dancer in his family. His famous family members include Brinda master, Kala Master and Raghu Master. Prasanna was a shy child growing up, he was an introvert. In fact he was such a low-key person that no one in his school knew that he dance in his bloodline, and he himself was such a gifted dancer. During school days, it was one of Sujit’s friends who suggested Prasanna to start competing in dance competitions.

Anil Radhakrishnan is an Indian Sound Recordist and Sound Designer. Anil Radhakrishnan is situated and currently living in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Anil Radhakrishnan’s most known project is working as a sound recordist in the movie Udta Punjab. Anil Radhakrishnan Bachelor of Science with Physics in 2004 from the University of Calicut in Kerala. Anil Radhakrishnan soon completed his PG Diploma in Audiography and Sound Recording from the Film and Televison Institute of India in 2007. Anil Radhakrishnan’s most recent project was playing the role of a sound designer/sound mixer in the movie Makal which was out in 2022. Anil Radhakrishnan is also currently playing the role of a sound designer and sync sound on an ongoing project named Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum.

Son of the late actor Thilakan, Shammi Thilakan is one of the more versatile actors in the Malayalam movie industry having nearly 30 years of experience as an actor, and as a dubbing artist. He is the recipient of the State Award for Best Dubbing Artist for lending his voice to Nassar in the movie Gazal  in 1993. He also lent his voice for Napoleon in the movie Devasuram.

Shammi Thilakan began his career in 1986, having to work under the shadow of his immensely talented father Thilakan. However, through his quality work and his extremely professional attitude, he has made a name as prominent as his father in the movie industry. His debut was in the 1986 movie directed by K.G. George, Irakal where he performed a supporting role. His acting and skill soon got him noticed and he then began to see a wide variety of roles being offered.

From Jathakam in 1989 to Ottayal Pattalam in 1992, to Thalastaanam and Dhruvam, and Rajakeeyam to Boxer, Sargavasantham, Kaathil Oru Kinnaram to Sulthan Hyderali, Lelam and Bhoopathi Ezhupunna Tharakan & Pathram, Shammi has had over 20 hits in the 1990’s. 

His career took a massive boost from the year 2000 onwards, from where he has completed over 42 movies in the nearly 15 years since, with the total number of movies being made being over 70. Some of his other hits include Praja, Phantom, Kasthuriman and Housefull.

 In 2013, he was also awarded the TTK Prestige – Vanitha Film Awards for Best Comedian for his roles in Neram  and Sringaravelan.

His roles have been varied and interesting, from dark, negative characters that evoke strong emotion, to comedy that usually leaves the audience in stitches. Shammi has truly evolved into a strong and proficient actor stepping out from under his father’s shadow and carving a niche for himself.

Sameera Saneesh is a South Indian costume designer and fashion designer who works in the Malayalam film industry. She was born on 27th June 1983. She is well known for designing costumes of Mammootty, Jayasurya, Prithviraj Sukumaran and other stars. Sameera hails from Eroor village of Ernakulam district in Kerala. Her parents are Ibrahim and Jameela. She married a software engineer named Saneesh K. J. on 26th November 2006. She learned drawing and painting from Kalabhavan Kochi during her school years. Sameera did an under graduation course at Bharat Mata College before joining a Fashion Designing diploma at the Nation Institute for Fashion Designing in Panampilly Nagar. After diploma, she worked as an in-house designer for “Raymonds” for some time before becoming a freelance costume designer for ad-films. Her first projects were the advertisements for “Saundarya Silk”. She rose to prominence due to her work in Seemas.

Ronex Xavier is one of the rising makeup artist working in the Malayalam film industry. It has not been much of time that Ronex started working in the industry, but he managed to steal all of his hearts by his makeup skills and techniques. In the span for less than a decade, Ronex had worked in the Malayalam films including, Carbon, Aadu 2, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Maheshinte Prathikaram, and The Great Father to the latest Maradona.

Jayadevan Chakkadath, a sound editor and recordist from Thrissur, is well recognized for his Malayalam films. He was born in Thrissur, Kerala, India, on January 13, 1981. K Aravindakshan and Vijayalakshmi are his parents, and he's a sound editor, sound designer, dialogue editor, foley editor, and remixer. In 2017, he received the National Film Award for Best Audiography for Kaadu Pookkunna Neram. Dr. Biju directed, which received two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Sound Recordist in 2017. In 2007, he graduated from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata with a post-graduate diploma in sound recording and engineering. From 2015 to 2017, he worked at the Srishti School of Arts, Design, and Technology in Bangalore. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Cochin University of Science and Technology (1998-2002).

Sinoy Joseph is an Indian film Sound Mixer artist and a sound designer. He was born on July 31, and the year 1981. His nationality is Indian. He is Sound Engineer by profession. He was active in the Tamil film Industry since 2004. He was born in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Sinoy is youngest child in his family. He has four siblings. His father is a schoolteacher at the St. Michel's Higher Secondary School, Kudavechoor, and Kerala. He was born in a middle-class family in Kudavechoor, near Vaikom, Kerala. Sinoy did his schooling from the St. Michel's Higher Secondary School. His wife name is Asha Sinoy. Moreover, his daughter name is Serafin Sinoy. Sinoy is also fond of extra-curricular activities like painting, singing, and dancing.

Aravind Manmadhan is a well-known Editor from the Malayalam Film Industry. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Business / Management from the University of Kerala in Kerala, India. Aravind worked as a Video Editor at metromatinee.com (2012-2016). He has been a Freelance Film Video Editor since 2017. In 2019, he received the Kerala State Award for Best Film Editor. He worked in the Editorial Department in the movie Kozhipporu, released in 2020 and directed by Jibit Gorge Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi, released in 2020 and directed by Jenith Kachappily, Gauthamante Radham released in 2020 and directed by Basil Joseph, Udalaazham released in 2018 and directed by Manoj K.T, Dakini released in 2018 and directed by Rahul Riji Nair, Nonsense released in 2018 and directed by Mc Jithin, Lilli released in 2018 and, directed by Prasobh Vijayan, Theevandi released in 2018 and directed by Fellini T.P., and many more.

Bijibal Maniyil is an Indian composer and a singer born on 21 May 1973. Bijibal is not only a playback singer but also an expert Keyboardist. Bijibal field of interest includes film scores, classical and dance music. Bijibal is a very renowned composer and has won many prestigious awards including a National Film Award. Bijibal made his debut in the Malayalam film industry as a music director with the film Arabikatha in 2007. The film won him Mullassery Raju Music Award for the best music director in 2007. Some of the remarkable works of Bijibal includes Njaan, Balyakalasakhi, Kaliyachan, Salt N’ Pepper and Arabikatha. Bijibal won the Asiavision Movie Award for the Movie Salt N’ Pepper in 2011. Recently Bijibal is working on some movies My God, Salt Mango Tree, KL. 10 and much more.

Hari Narayanan is a Tamil and a Malayali song lyricist. It is hard to find a native Malayali who has never heard any music composition or song made by this famous lyricist. They are very fond of his music and almost hear him regularly. The most popular and famous Malayalam music and song of 2014 was composed and written by Hari. The name of the song was Olenjali Curuvi. The lyrics of the song were so touching and soothing that it captured the attention of not only the young generation, but also the old people couldn’t resist themselves from loving this composition. Even the song Kaatumooliyo Pranayam was a great hit.

Joy Mathew has various feathers to his cap; he is an actor, director, writer and a political persona. But he is very humble in this real life. Hailing from an upper-class Christian family he had his initial days in Kozhikode. He initially joined Pune Film Institute but later opted for post graduation in Mass Media and Journalism. But films always remained his passion. 

Born on 20th September 1961, Joy Mathew hails from Challissery, Thrissur. Joy Mathew’s films reflect his childhood days and fervent association with left-wing politics. He believes in giving equal treatment to everyone. Joy Mathew is an optimist and is service-minded. He has great passion towards theatre and films. Joy Mathew’s input to Malayalam theatre is indeed commendable. He has appeared in some movies too. Joy rocked the Malayalam film industry during the 80s. 

Joy Mathew has donned the role of a main villain in the biggest 2013 grosser-Amen. The flick Shutter is his debut directorial venture and it received great critical acclaim. This film gained international recognition and was bestowed with several honours. This movie was also well received by the audience. 

The 1986 flick Ammaye Kanan, in which John Abraham wielded the megaphone, had Joy donning the lead role. This film was lauded critically and it was adjudged as one of the best Indian films by British Film Institute. Then Joy was in a sabbatical for 27 years and re-entered the industry in 2013 and he donned the role of supporting actor as well as director. He has a distinction of working in 14 movies in 2013 and this indeed a commendable achievement. 

Sangeeta Nataka Academy and Kerala Sahitya Academy felicitated him for a couple of his plays. Athirthikkal, Pretoria-October 18, Sankadal and Chille 73 are some of his commendable endeavors as a playwright. Joy Mathew took vigorous involvement in some cultural groups. The Campus Theatre Movement is his foundation which was started in 1980. His contribution to Malayalam plays is over 20.

Joju George was born on 22nd October in 1977. He was born in Mala, Trichur, in Kerala. He was originally named Joseph George but is known in the industry by the name Joju George. He is a Malayalam actor who made his debut in the year 2003. Early Life George was born in Mala, a village in Kerala. He was born to Malayali parents, George and Rosy. He completed his schooling from GHS in Kuzhur. He later joined the Christ College before dropping out to pursue a career in acting. He started his career as an assistant director in 1991. His acting career began later in 2003. He holds a degree from Christ College in Irinjalakuda. Work Joju George started his career has a director. He has assisted for films like Friends and Dada Sahib. After a short stint in direction, Joju turned to acting. He made his debut in 2003 featuring in War and Love. His official debut was regarded in the film Pattalam in the same year. Since then he has been prolific in his work. Joju did many supporting roles in the beginning.

Shyamaprasad is an eminent screenwriter, director, and actor in Malayalam cinema. Although he had made a very few films, his art and meaningful cinema has always had a sweet flavor. His notable films include ‘Agnisakshi’, ‘Akale’, ‘Arike’ and ‘Ore Kadal’. He always made his movies based on some novels. Novels had inspired him a lot, and he tried to create a literary masterpiece in celluloid.

Vijay Yesudas (Born: 23rd March, 1979) is an Indian classical musician and playback singer from Chennai. He is known for his work predominantly in the south Indian film Industry, especially Malayalam, and Tamil films as well as in other Indian Languages such as Telegu, Kannada, and Hindi.

Muhsin Parari is an acclaimed director, screenplay writer ,and lyricist. He was born on the 23rd. September 1988 in the city of Malappuram. He is known for his work in the Malayalam film industry. He was launched into limelight when he directed the music album ‘Native Bapa’ in 2012. After that, he assisted in the direction of 5 Sundarikal and the Last Supper. He directed KL 10 Patthu; though critically acclaimed, the movie failed at the box office. He then made a comeback with ‘Funeral of a Native Son.’

Zakariya Mohammed is a well known Indian Theater Director, Screenwriter, and an Actor in Malayalam Film Industry. He hailed from Valanchery, Kerala, and had also struggled as assistant director, credited with the award-winning short films. He is postgraduate in Mass Communication and Journalism and assisted as a professor in MBL media school based in Calicut.

Soubin Shahir is a well-known actor and an assistant director in Malayalam films. He assisted many renowned directors in his career before his acting career started. He made his first debut film with Kaiyethum Doorath. He earned wide fame for Alphonse Putharen’s Premam in which he played the role of a P.T Master. Soubin also featured in some of the recent hit movies stealing the hearts of many people. On his foray in direction, he said “I always wanted to be a director.” He believes that director Rajeev Rai brought him in front of arc lights. The actor is still uncomfortable when it comes to facing the camera and says that he becomes a bit nervous when it comes to acting.

Jayasurya is a versatile actor who hailed from Kerala. Born in Thrippunithura in 1978, this actor has done varieties of characters in Malayalam films. He has also acted in a few Tamil movies. His parents are Mani and Thankam. His wife is Sarita and this couple has a daughter and a son. Oomapenninu Uriyadapayyan is the debut movie of Jayasuriya. Swapna Koodu with Prithviraj, Meera Jasmine and Bhavana gave him a reputation. His movie Pulival Kalyanam also earned more fans for him. Kilukkam Kilukilukkam was the next version of Mohan Lal movie Kilukkam, and Jayasuriya’s performance was applauded well. Shakespeare M.A Malayalam and De Inkottu Nokkiyae, Bus Conductor, Arabikatha are some of his blockbuster movies. Sankaranum Mohananum was the film by Jayasurya, in which he appeared in 20 different getups. Cocktail was the film by him, which made his career a worthy one. Trivandrum Lodge, Husbands in Goa, Mumbai Police and Beautiful were some of his career best films. Husbands in Goa, is a comedy genre which had Lal, Praveena, Indrajith, Remya Nambeesan, Bhama and Rima Kallingal. His latest ventures are Amar Akbar Anthony, Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeeviyaanu and Lukka Chuppi. He made his debut in Tamil films through En Mana Vaanil with Kavya Madhavan. He also has acted with Kamal Hassan in Vasool Raja MBBS.