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Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran actor and filmmaker Prakash Raj, who served as the jury chairman for the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, has stirred debate with his sharp remarks about the credibility of the National Film Awards. Speaking at a press conference on Monday after announcing the winners, Raj lauded the transparency of the Kerala jury while alleging political influence and bias in the national honours. The awards, announced by the Kerala government, saw Manjummel Boys and Bramayugam winning multiple honours, with Mammootty bagging his record-breaking seventh Best Actor award. ‘National Awards are compromised,’ says Prakash Raj During his interaction with reporters, Prakash Raj was asked about his experience leading the jury for the Kerala State Film Awards and his opinion on Mammootty’s chances at the National level. He did not hold back. “I don’t mind saying that the National Film Awards are compromised. I am so happy to be a jury chairman for Kerala because when they called me, they said we need an outsider who is experienced, and we will not poke our hands into it. We will let you take the decision,” Raj said. He added that such independence is missing from the National Awards process. “That is not happening in the National Awards, and we see it. When files and piles are getting awards! When such sort of a jury and such sort of a national government… they don’t deserve Mammukka,” he said, referring affectionately to veteran actor Mammootty. Raj’s comments, while applauded by some as bold, have also sparked criticism from sections of the film fraternity who accused him of politicising the issue. A clean and transparent process The 55th edition of the Kerala State Film Awards was widely praised for its professionalism and merit-based selection. Prakash Raj said he appreciated the autonomy given to the jury, adding that there was “no interference or external pressure” from the Kerala government or officials. He highlighted that the state’s commitment to artistic integrity was a model worth emulating nationally. “Cinema should be judged by artists, not influenced by politics or ideology,” Raj said, calling the Kerala awards “a celebration of creative freedom”. Raj, known for his outspoken views, has often criticised institutions that, in his opinion, compromise merit for political or populist motives. Mammootty breaks record with 7th Best Actor win At the ceremony, Mammootty bagged the Best Actor Award for his role in Bramayugam, taking his tally to seven Kerala State Awards — the highest ever by an actor. The veteran star surpassed Mohanlal and Urvashi, who have six awards each in the same category. Mammootty’s intense portrayal in Bramayugam, a black-and-white psychological thriller directed by Rahul Sadasivan, received widespread critical acclaim. The film also won several other awards, reinforcing its dominance this year. Meanwhile, Manjummel Boys, directed by Chidambaram, emerged as the Best Film, also clinching the Best Director award. The survival drama, inspired by true events, has been a massive critical and commercial success, drawing praise for its realistic performances and technical excellence. Fans say Mammootty was overlooked at the National level The discussion around Prakash Raj’s remarks also revived a long-standing debate — that Mammootty has been repeatedly overlooked at the National Awards despite stellar performances. The actor has previously won three National Awards for Best Actor — for Mathilukal, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Ponthan Mada, Vidheyan, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Many fans and critics believe several of his later performances merited national recognition but were ignored by juries allegedly influenced by politics or regional bias. Social media erupted in support of Prakash Raj’s statement, with fans arguing that his remarks shed light on a persistent issue in India’s film award ecosystem. A call for reform in film recognition While the Kerala State Film Awards continue to maintain their credibility, Raj’s comments have once again prompted calls for transparency and autonomy in India’s national-level film honours. Film analysts say that with increasing political polarisation and state influence, award systems must adopt clearer selection criteria and ensure independence of jury members to maintain integrity. As one of Indian cinema’s most respected voices, Prakash Raj’s criticism has reignited the conversation around artistic freedom and the importance of insulating cultural recognition from political control. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Kerala’s thriving cinema ecosystem, which continues to champion content-driven storytelling — and on Mammootty, whose latest triumph adds yet another golden chapter to an illustrious career spanning over five decades.
