New Delhi: Malayalam cinema celebrated one of its finest moments at the 72nd National Film Awards as veteran actor Mammootty won the Best Actor award for his powerful performance in the horror drama Bramayugam, while Feminichi Fathima was named Best Malayalam Feature Film. The awards, announced on Friday, recognised outstanding achievements in Indian cinema and highlighted the growing national appreciation for Malayalam films and their storytelling.
Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour with Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan, who was recognised for his performance in Chandu Champion. The award marks Mammootty's fourth National Award for Best Actor, adding another milestone to a career that has spanned more than four decades. His latest recognition came for portraying the mysterious and intimidating Kodumon Potti in Bramayugam, a black and white period horror film that received widespread praise from audiences and critics alike.
The veteran actor's performance was widely appreciated for its depth, restraint and emotional intensity. Critics described his role as one of the strongest performances of his long career, helping Bramayugam become one of the most talked about Malayalam films of the year.
Another major reason for celebration was the success of Feminichi Fathima, directed by Fasil Muhammed, which won the National Award for Best Malayalam Feature Film. The film tells the story of a young woman who challenges deeply rooted patriarchal traditions within her conservative Muslim community. Through a simple but emotionally powerful narrative, the film explores issues of gender equality, personal freedom and social expectations.
Before receiving national recognition, Feminichi Fathima had already earned praise at film festivals and from critics for its realistic storytelling and sensitive treatment of important social issues. The National Award is expected to bring the film to a much wider audience across the country.
Malayalam cinema added more honours during the ceremony. Bramayugam also received the award for Best Cinematography, with its striking black and white visuals being recognised as one of the film's strongest artistic achievements. The cinematography played a major role in creating the haunting atmosphere that made the film stand out.
Renowned singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi was honoured with the Best Female Playback Singer award for her song in the Malayalam film ARM. Her emotional rendition received widespread appreciation from music lovers and critics, earning her another prestigious recognition at the national level.
In the non feature film category, the Malayalam production Bhadrakali Natakam received a Special Mention from the jury, further adding to Kerala's impressive performance at this year's awards.
The National Film Awards also recognised achievements from across Indian cinema. Article 370 emerged as one of the biggest winners by securing the Best Feature Film award. Actress Yami Gautam received the Best Actress honour for her performance in the same film, while Kartik Aaryan shared the Best Actor award with Mammootty for Chandu Champion.
The strong showing by Malayalam cinema once again demonstrated the industry's ability to produce films that combine artistic excellence with meaningful social themes. Over the past several years, Malayalam filmmakers have consistently earned national and international recognition for their unique storytelling, strong performances and technical quality.
Industry observers said the success of Bramayugam and Feminichi Fathima reflects the growing acceptance of content driven cinema that focuses on compelling narratives rather than commercial formulas. Both films addressed very different subjects but were united by their strong writing, memorable performances and high production values.
Film lovers across Kerala welcomed the awards with celebration, especially Mammootty's historic fourth Best Actor honour. Many described the recognition as a fitting tribute to an actor who continues to reinvent himself with challenging roles even after decades in the industry.
The 72nd National Film Awards have once again placed Malayalam cinema firmly in the national spotlight. With major victories for Mammootty, Feminichi Fathima, Bramayugam and several Malayalam artists, the awards reaffirmed Kerala's position as one of India's leading centres for quality filmmaking and meaningful cinema.