Asianet Film Awards Declared

Asianet Communication Limited vice chairman and managing director K. Madhavan announced the 11th Annual Asianet Film Awards 2009 on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and noted South Indian actress Gopika were selected as the Best Actor and Best Actress for their respective performances in Madambi and Veruthe Oru Bharya. The awards, comprising a purse and statuette, will be presented on January 17.

Akku Akbar of Veruthe Oru Bharya won the award for the Best Director, while Jayaram was selected the most popular actor. AMMA's recent multi-starrer Twenty:20, directed by Joshy, has been chosen the Best Film.

Legendary singer K.J. Yesudas won the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his overall contribution to the Malayalam film industry. The special award for patriotic film went to Kurukshetra, directed by Major Ravi. Jagathy Sreekumar won the special jury award for his various roles.

The other awards are: Character artiste Innocent (Innathe Chintha Vishayam), Samvrutha Sunil (Minnaminnikoottam), villain Siddique (Madambi), comedian Salim Kumar (Annan Thambi), lyricist Gireesh Puthencherry (Madambi, song 'Amma mazhakarinu'), music director Vidyasagar (Mulla), playback singers M.G. Sreekumar ('Kando kando kakkakuyile'- Innathe Chintha Vishayam), Swetha Mohan ('Kuyile kuyile' - Novel), child artiste Baby Nivedita (Innathe Chintha Vishayam) cameraman M.J. Radhakrishnan (Adayalangal, Thirakatha), editor Renjan Abraham (Veruthe Oru Bharya, Mulla), best pair Jayasurya-Roma (Minnaminnikoottam, Shakespeare M.A. Malayalam), debut artistes Vineeth Sreenivasan (Cycle) and Meera Nandan (Mulla).