Thiruvananthapuram: Director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s movie ‘Jallikattu’ bagged the 44th Kerala Film Critics Award for the best film in 2019. Geetu Mohandas was adjudged as the best director for her movie ‘Moothon’ with actor Nivin Pauly winning the award for the best actor for his portrayal of the protagonist in the same movie.
Manju Warrier won the best actress award for her role in ‘Prathi Poovankozhi’. Kerala Film Critics Award is the only private award in Kerala other than the state awards that is adjudged by a jury.
The awards were declared by jury chairman and president of the association Dr George Onakkoor. The awards were adjudged by a jury comprising Thekkinkad Joseph, Balan Thirumala, Prof Joseph Mathew Palai, Dr Aravindan Vallachira and A Chandrasekhar as members.
A total of 40 films were submitted for the awards. The Chalachithra Retnam lifetime achievement award was bestowed on filmmaker Hariharan. Mammootty was awarded with the Ruby Jubilee Award instituted to commemorate 40th year of the association for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. Cinematographer S Kumar, director and art director Nemom Pushparaj, senior actress Sethulekshmi and Nana photographer Kollam Mohan were selected for Chalachithra Prathibha awards. tnn