Critics award for Ottaal, Iyyobinte Pusthakam

Jayaraj’s Ottaal and Amal Neerad’s Iyyobinte Pusthakam have shared the honour for the best film in the Atlas Film Critics Association Awards announced here on Saturday.

The two film-makers shared the best director award. Amal Neerad has also won the award for the best cinematographer. Manoj K. Jayan is the best actor (male) for his role in Negalukal, directed by Avira Rebecca, and Kukiliyar, directed by Nemom Pushparaj. Asha Sharat is the best actor (female) for her role in Varsham .

Kumarakom Vasavan, the lead actor in

Ottaal , has won a special mention from the jury, association general secretary Balan Thirumala and Atlas group chairman M.M. Ramachandran said. The movie

Vellimoonga , directed by Jibu Jacob, has been chosen as the best popular film. Flm-maker K.G. George will be conferred the title of ‘Chalachitra Ratnam’ for his contributions to the film industry.

Ottamandaram directed by Vinod Mankara has been chosen the second best film. Nandu has won the award for the second best actor (male) for the films Ottamandaram , Kukaliyar , and Alroopangal and Bhama has been chosen for the second best actor (female) for the movies Ottamandaram and Naku Penta Naku Taka .

Other award winners

Best script: Bobby Sanjay (

How Old Are You )

Best child artistes: Amrita Sunil ( How Old Are You ) and Ashanth K. Shaw ( Ottaal )

Best music composer: Hari Narayanan ( 1983 ), best music director: Gopi Sundar ( Varsham , Naku Penta Naku Taka ), best playback singer (Male): Sudheep Kumar ( Varsham ), and best playback singer (Female): Madhusri Narayanan ( Ottamandaram )

Best film editor: Hariharaputhran ( Alroopangal )

Best sound engineer: N. Harikumar ( Mizhi Thuraku )

Best art director: Boban ( Angels )

Best make-up artist: Pattanam Rasheed ( Chayilyam , Kukiliyar ), and best costume designer: Sameera Sanish ( Iyyobinte Pusthakam )

Best directors (debut): Ebrid Shine ( 1983 ), N.K. Muhammed Koya ( Alif ), Jude Antony Joseph ( Om Shanthi Oshana ), best environment film: Thamara .

Bhagyalakshmi, Nilamboor Aisha and Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath will be honoured at the film award ceremony to be held at Kochi in May.