Prithviraj, Urvasi bag State Awards

The Government of Kerala honoured actor Prithviraj, actress Urvasi and Khushboo with best actor and actress awards on Friday. The annual film awards of the Government of Kerala for the year 2006 was announced recently. According to the announcement, they were given best actor and actresses' awards in a colourful ceremony at the Senate House of Kerala University at Thiruvanadapuram.

The Chief Minister of Kerala VS Achudhanandhan participated in the event and distributed the awards to all the artists. Thrishtantham awarded as the best film of the year. Director and producer of the film MP Sugumaaran Nair was given the award. Notebook got the second best film award.

Prithviraj received the best actor award for his outstanding performance in Vasthavam and Sai Kumar received the second best actor award for Ananda Bairavi.

Urvasi got the best actress award for her flawless acting in Madhu Chandralekha and Padmapriya has received the second best actress award for film Karutha Pakshigal. Actress Khushboo received the special jury award. Lenin Rajendiran has been awarded as the best director for his work in Rathiri Mazhai.

After handing over the awards, the Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has made it clear that the State Government is ready to intervene to settle the current dispute in the film industry among organizations of producers, artists and technicians. He urged the artists and technicians must take the initiative to settle those issues. 'All must understand that a crisis in the film field at this stage would be harmful not only to them but also to the society as a whole', the Chief Minister said.