Dileep, Swetha Menon win top honours at Kerala film awards

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Popular actor Dileep on Thursday won the best actor award at the Kerala State Film Awards, his first, for his role in Velaripravinte Changathi, while Swetha Menon bagged best actress award for Salt N' Pepper.

Director Renjith's Indian Rupee was declared the best film, and best director trophy went to Blessy for Pranayam.

Dileep said he was not expecting the award and added: "In the past, I really wished I had won the award for my role in Kunhikoonan and Chandupottu, but I never got it. So, this time it was totally unexpected because I felt I will never get an award."

On the other hand, Shweta was excited after winning her second Kerala State Film Award.

"Oh my god, I just can't believe this. I am really excited and I am unable to speak. Please allow me to thank all who worked in the film Salt N' Pepper, which fetched me my award," said the actress who is expecting her first child with husband Sreevalsan Menon.

The jury was led by veteran Tamil director K. Bhagyaraj.

Ailing Jagathy Sreekumar was declared best comedian. He is currently in a hospital in Tamil Nadu, following a serious road accident in March this year.

Upcoming star Fahad Fazil, son of acclaimed director Fazil, was honoured with the second best actor for his role in Chapa Kurishu, while N. Ayisha was the second best actress for her role in Oomakuyil.

Ageing superstars Mammootty, Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi missed the award rolls this time.

Keywords: Latest film award, malayalam film award, state film award,state award Swetha Menon, state award dileep

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Best film: Indian Rupee
Best Actor: Dileep (Vellaripravinte Changathi)
Best Actress: Swetha Menon (Salt N’ Pepper)
Best Director : Blessy (Pranayam)
Best second film: Ivan Megharoopan
Best second actor: Fahadh Faasil (Chappa Kurishu, Akam)
Best second actress: Nilambur Ayesha (Oomakkuyil Padumbol)
Best cinematographer: M J Radhakrishnan (Akashathinte Niram)
Best story: M Mohanan (Manikyakkallu)
Best script: Bobby-Sanjay (Traffic)
Best lyricist: Sreekumaran Thampi (Naayika)
Best music director: Sarath (Ivan Megharoopan)

Best background music: Deepak Dev (Urumi)
Best singer (male): Sudheep Kumar (Rathinirvedam)
Best singer (female): Shreya Ghoshal (Veeraputhran)
Best editor: Vinod Sukumaran (Ivan Megharoopan)
Best popular film: Salt N’ Pepper
Best actor in a comic role: Jagathy Sreekumar (Swapna Sanchari)
Best child artiste: Malavika
Best debutant director: Sherry (Adimadhyantham)
Special Jury mention: Dr. Biju (Akashathinte Niram)