Thrissur: The ‘Award Pooram’ was held in Thrissur yesterday. When the State Film Awards were announced, the six winners were together here. They have teamed up for the film ‘Thankam’ directed by Shaheed Arafat which will start shooting on Saturday. Best Director Dileesh Pothen, Best Popular Film Director Vineeth Sreenivasan, Actor Biju Menon, Screenwriter Shyam Pushkaran, Character Actress Unnimaya Prasad and Art Director Gokuldas came together to hear the news of their awards.
‘Joji’ was the star there then. Shyam Pushkaran won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for ‘Joji’ while Dileesh Pothen won Best Director and Best Actress for the same film. Shyam Pushkaran and Unnimayya are doubly sweet to be the first couple to win a state award in the same year.
Biju Menon responded that he is happy to be recognized for the work he does. ‘Who Knows’ is a movie that took good effort as it is an old character. Thanks to the director. This is the first state award. I had another character in mind in the movie. But the director pointed out that the old character was not challenging. It was taken over. There was tension while doing it. He also tried to bring that look. Tested alternately and made confidence in appearance. I am happy to have done well ‘- said Biju Menon.
Dileesh Pothen’s response was that he was happy with the recognition given to ‘Joji’. ‘I’m not the only one behind the film. Thanks to everyone. All the awards seem to have been deserved. Joji has four awards. The film became more creative because of the Kovid crisis. Had it not been for the Kovid situation, there would not have been a film called Joji ‘- said Dileesh Pothen. Dileesh also said that recognition as the best director is also recognition for the subject matter of the film. ‘It takes a great idea to get me to the best director. A good idea is to make a good director. Of course, that contribution is not small, ”said Dileesh.
Vineeth Sreenivasan said that the film ‘Hridayam’ was released following waiting for two years before shooting for Kovid. ‘It was a film that witnessed a lot of unexpected events. The film was released at the height of Lock Down. Everything related to the heart happened like a terrible blessing. The good news is that everyone on the team has been waiting for that movie for two and a half years. Everyone is happy now ‘- Vineet said.
Shyam Pushkaran said that he, his friends and family are happy with the three major awards. ‘Glad to be recognized by all my friends. Chammal was left out as they have the award. See it as a good incentive gift. The film was inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth. You have to be careful when playing with Shakespeare ‘- Shyam said.
‘I am very happy to have received the award. This is a recognition of teamwork. The result of everyone’s effort. A lot of happiness’ – this was Unnimaya’s response. ‘Thankam’ is a film produced by Fahad Fazil, Shyam Pushkaran and Dileesh Pothen. Biju Menon and Vineeth Sreenivasan will play the lead roles.
