Vizhinjam Seaport MD Divya S Iyer joins Stephen Devassy on stage, unperturbed amidst controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prithviraj Sukumaran barely touched the volatile topic of 'Empuraan' controversy while addressing the crowd after receiving the state award on Wednesday. The actor received the state award for best actor from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The 54th State Film Awards ceremony held at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Kanakakkunnu was the first public event Prithviraj attended after the controversies surrounding Empuraan. The actor came wearing a white kurta, recreating his look in movies such as Kaduva and Thanthonni. Chairman of the Film Academy, Premkumar, asserted the need for freedom of expression of artists, but Prithviraj remained stoic.

Prithviraj said ‘Aadujeevitham’ a one-time wonder, which he was lucky to be part of.

Despite the controversy surrounding her praise of CPM Kannur district secretary KK Ragesh, Vizhinjam Seaport MD Divya S Iyer showed up at the event and even hummed a few lines to brighten up the mood.

When musician Stephen Devassy invited her, Divya showed no qualms in getting to the stage. Divya first sang the song 'Ente Ellamallam Alle' from the film ‘Meeshamadhavan’. Then she went for 'Kunnimani Cheppu’ as a dedication to state award-winning actress Urvashi.