# Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor is an annual honor given by the [Government of Kerala](https://www.edgepedia.org/government-of-kerala) to the male actor judged to have delivered the best performance in a Malayalam film released during the award year. It is one of the acting categories of the [Kerala State Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/kerala-state-film-awards), which the state government first announced in 1969, and the first recipient was the actor Sathyan for his dual role as father and son in *Kadalpalam* (1969)[1](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-news-a-remembrance-of-sathyan).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First awarded | 1969, to Sathyan for *Kadalpalam*[1](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-news-a-remembrance-of-sathyan) |
| Award components | A cash award of Rs. 1,00,000, a replica and a certificate[2](https://keralafilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SFA-2024-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf) |
| Most wins | Mammootty, seven Best Actor awards, most recently for *Bramayugam* at the 55th awards[3](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2025/mammootty-vs-mohanlal-who-holds-the-record-for-most-kerala-state-best-actor-awards-486967.html) |
| Second most wins | Mohanlal, six Best Actor awards, first for *T. P. Balagopalan M.A.* (1986)[4](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohanlal/biography.html) |
| Posthumous winner | Sathyan, honored in 1971 for *Karakanakadal* after his death on 15 June 1971[5](https://m3db.com/sathyan-0) |
| Shared awards | The category has been split, as in 2018 between Jayasurya and Soubin Shahir and in 2021 between Biju Menon and Joju George[6](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/Oct/14/kerala-state-film-awards-go-out-of-the-box-office-2209869.html) • [7](https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/kerala-state-film-awards-1012567) |
| Latest winner | Mammootty, for *Bramayugam*, at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards announced on 3 November 2025[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Nov/03/55th-kerala-state-film-awards-mammootty-shamla-hamza-wins-best-actor-awards-manjummel-boys-best-film-heres-the-full-list-of-winners) |
## How the award is decided
The winners are chosen by a jury of film industry figures appointed by the government each year; the Kerala State Film Policy describes the jury as comprising prominent filmmakers, critics, and writers named annually by the government[9](https://www.ksfdc.in/html/KERALA%20STATE%20FILM%20POLICY%202026.pdf). Under the award regulations, the jury has the discretion not to recommend an award in a category if it finds no entry of suitable quality, and its decision is final[2](https://keralafilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SFA-2024-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf). The Minister for Cultural Affairs announces the results at a press meet; the 54th awards were announced in [Thiruvananthapuram](https://www.edgepedia.org/thiruvananthapuram) by Minister Saji Cherian, with 160 films submitted and 35 selected for the final round under a jury headed by the Hindi filmmaker [Sudhir Mishra](https://www.edgepedia.org/sudhir-mishra)[10](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Aug/16/54th-kerala-state-film-awards-heres-the-full-list-of-winners). At the 55th awards, 128 films were submitted and 38 reached the final round, with the actor-filmmaker [Prakash Raj](https://www.edgepedia.org/prakash-raj) heading the jury[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Nov/03/55th-kerala-state-film-awards-mammootty-shamla-hamza-wins-best-actor-awards-manjummel-boys-best-film-heres-the-full-list-of-winners).
The jury's reasoning is sometimes made public. For the 54th awards, jury members said they were unanimous in choosing [Prithviraj Sukumaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/prithviraj-sukumaran)'s portrayal of Najeeb in *Aadujeevitham*, citing the physical and mental transformation involved and comparing it to [Tom Hanks](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-hanks)'s role in *Cast Away*; [Mammootty](https://www.edgepedia.org/mammootty) (*Kaathal – The Core*), Vijayaraghavan (*Pookkalam*), Joju George (*Iratta*), and Anand Hareendran Nair were among the other contenders[11](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/kerala/2024/Aug/17/jury-members-had-a-tough-task-selecting-winners-for-kerala-state-film-awards).
## Early history
The award's first years are closely tied to Sathyan, who is regarded as the first recipient and one of [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema)'s defining actors. Born in 1912, he worked as a teacher, clerk, soldier, and police officer before entering films, and became known for a restrained, realistic acting style at a time when most Indian screen acting was highly theatrical[12](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/sathyan-served-in-army-and-police-before-cinema-kept-working-despite-coughing-up-blood-on-set-due-to-leukaemia-10368987/). He won the inaugural Best Actor award for *Kadalpalam* in 1969, the year the state awards began[1](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-news-a-remembrance-of-sathyan). He died of leukemia on 15 June 1971, and the state government honored him posthumously with the 1971 Best Actor award for *Karakanakadal*[5](https://m3db.com/sathyan-0). A second source lists *Sarasayya* alongside *Karakanakadal* for that posthumous honor[1](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-news-a-remembrance-of-sathyan).
## Multiple winners
**Mammootty holds the record.** His seven Best Actor awards came for *Adiyozhukkukal* (1984), *Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha*, *Mrigaya*, and *Mahayanam* (1989), *Vidheyan*, *Ponthan Mada*, and *Vatsalyam* (1993), *Kaazhcha* (2004), *Paleri Manikyam* (2009), *Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam* (2022), and *Bramayugam* (2024)[3](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2025/mammootty-vs-mohanlal-who-holds-the-record-for-most-kerala-state-best-actor-awards-486967.html). He also won Second Best Actor for *Ahimsa* (1981) and a Special Jury Award for *Yathra* and *Nirakkoottu* (1985)[3](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2025/mammootty-vs-mohanlal-who-holds-the-record-for-most-kerala-state-best-actor-awards-486967.html). With the 55th awards he moved ahead of Mohanlal in the Best Actor tally[3](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2025/mammootty-vs-mohanlal-who-holds-the-record-for-most-kerala-state-best-actor-awards-486967.html).
**Mohanlal has six wins.** His first came for *T. P. Balagopalan M.A.* (1986), directed by Sathyan Anthikad, followed by *Kilukkam*, *Bharatham*, and *Ulladakkam* (1991), *Spadikam* and *Kaalapani* (1995), *Vanaprastham* (1999), *Thanmathra* (2005), and *Paradesi* (2007)[4](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohanlal/biography.html) • [3](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2025/mammootty-vs-mohanlal-who-holds-the-record-for-most-kerala-state-best-actor-awards-486967.html).
Behind the two leads, Bharat Gopi won four times (1977, 1982, 1983, and 1985) and Bharath Murali four times (1992, 1996, 1998, and 2001); [Nedumudi Venu](https://www.edgepedia.org/nedumudi-venu) won three times (1981, 1987, and 2003); and Sathyan, Adoor Bhasi, Thilakan, and Prithviraj each won twice[13](https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/actors-who-win-kerala-state-film-awards-more-than-one-time/articleshow/102011525.cms). Prithviraj's wins include *Aadujeevitham* at the 54th awards[10](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Aug/16/54th-kerala-state-film-awards-heres-the-full-list-of-winners).
## Recent trends
The profile of winners has shifted over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2015 the award went to [Salim Kumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/salim-kumar), Dileep, Prithviraj, Fahadh Faasil, Lal, Nivin Pauly, Sudev Nair, and [Dulquer Salmaan](https://www.edgepedia.org/dulquer-salmaan); from 2016 onward it went to [Vinayakan](https://www.edgepedia.org/vinayakan) (2016), Indrans (2017), Jayasurya and Soubin Shahir (2018), and later Suraj Venjaramoodu and Kani Kusruti in the top acting slots for 2020[6](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/Oct/14/kerala-state-film-awards-go-out-of-the-box-office-2209869.html). Cultural Affairs Minister A. K. Balan, announcing the 2020 awards, described a shift toward rewarding serious acting effort rather than popularity and stardom[6](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/Oct/14/kerala-state-film-awards-go-out-of-the-box-office-2209869.html).
The most recent editions confirm the pattern of both veterans and newcomers winning. Indrans won for *Aalorukkam* in 2017[6](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/Oct/14/kerala-state-film-awards-go-out-of-the-box-office-2209869.html); [Biju Menon](https://www.edgepedia.org/biju-menon) and [Joju George](https://www.edgepedia.org/joju-george) shared the 2021 award for *Aarkkariyam* and for *Nayattu*, *Madhuram*, *Freedom Fight*, and *Thuramukham* respectively[7](https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/kerala-state-film-awards-1012567); Mammootty won the 53rd award for *Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam*, his eighth Kerala State award overall and first Best Actor in 13 years[14](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/53rd-kerala-state-film-awards-the-winners-and-the-losers-11010071.html); Prithviraj won the 54th for *Aadujeevitham*[10](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Aug/16/54th-kerala-state-film-awards-heres-the-full-list-of-winners); and Mammootty won the 55th for *Bramayugam*, chosen over Asif Ali, Vijayaraghavan, Tovino Thomas, and Soubin[8](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Nov/03/55th-kerala-state-film-awards-mammootty-shamla-hamza-wins-best-actor-awards-manjummel-boys-best-film-heres-the-full-list-of-winners) • [15](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/55th-kerala-state-film-awards-best-actor-mammootty-actress-shamla-hamza-articleshow-zs829wz).
## References
1. [ഓര്മ്മകളില് മലയാളത്തിന്റെ ആദ്യത്തെ മഹാനടന്, Asianet News Malayalam](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/malayalam-film-news-a-remembrance-of-sathyan)
2. [Kerala State Awards for Malayalam Films & Writing on Cinema – Regulations, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy](https://keralafilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SFA-2024-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf)
3. [Mammootty Vs Mohanlal: Who Holds the Record For Most Kerala State Best Actor Awards?, Filmibeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2025/mammootty-vs-mohanlal-who-holds-the-record-for-most-kerala-state-best-actor-awards-486967.html)
4. [മോഹന്ലാല് ജീവചരിത്രം, Filmibeat Malayalam](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/mohanlal/biography.html)
5. [സത്യൻ – Sathyan (Actor), M3DB](https://m3db.com/sathyan-0)
6. [Kerala State Film Awards go out of the box office, The New Indian Express](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/Oct/14/kerala-state-film-awards-go-out-of-the-box-office-2209869.html)
7. [സംസ്ഥാന ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്കാരം: മികച്ച നടി രേവതി, മികച്ച നടന്മാർ ബിജു മേനോൻ, ജോജു ജോർജ്, Madhyamam](https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/kerala-state-film-awards-1012567)
8. [55th Kerala State Film Awards: Mammootty and Shamla Hamza win Best Actor awards, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Nov/03/55th-kerala-state-film-awards-mammootty-shamla-hamza-wins-best-actor-awards-manjummel-boys-best-film-heres-the-full-list-of-winners)
9. [കേരള സംസ്ഥാന ചലച്ചിത്ര നയം, Kerala State Film Development Corporation](https://www.ksfdc.in/html/KERALA%20STATE%20FILM%20POLICY%202026.pdf)
10. [54th Kerala State Film Awards: Here's the full list of winners, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Aug/16/54th-kerala-state-film-awards-heres-the-full-list-of-winners)
11. [Jury members had a tough task selecting winners for Kerala State Film Awards, The New Indian Express](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/kerala/2024/Aug/17/jury-members-had-a-tough-task-selecting-winners-for-kerala-state-film-awards)
12. [Malayalam's greatest actor served in Army and police before cinema, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/sathyan-served-in-army-and-police-before-cinema-kept-working-despite-coughing-up-blood-on-set-due-to-leukaemia-10368987/)
13. [ഒന്നിലേറെ തവണ ചലച്ചിത്ര അവാര്ഡ് നേടിയ മലയാളത്തിൻ്റെ പ്രിയ നടന്മാര്, Samayam Malayalam](https://malayalam.samayam.com/malayalam-cinema/movie-news/actors-who-win-kerala-state-film-awards-more-than-one-time/articleshow/102011525.cms)
14. [53rd Kerala State Film Awards: Hits and misses, Moneycontrol](https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/entertainment/53rd-kerala-state-film-awards-the-winners-and-the-losers-11010071.html)
15. [55th Kerala State Film Awards: Best Actor Mammootty, Best Actress Shamla Hamza, Asianet News Malayalam](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/55th-kerala-state-film-awards-best-actor-mammootty-actress-shamla-hamza-articleshow-zs829wz)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film industry, institutions, festivals, and awards › Film awards and critics' bodies › Indian state film awards*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 20, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 20, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license