"Nomination with Mammootty itself is great": 'Kishkindha Kaandam' actor Asif Ali responds to special jury win

KOCHI: Actor Asif Ali said he is happy to have won the state government's special jury award for best acting. The 'Kishkindha Kaandam' actor said that the nomination with Mammootty itself is a great joy and the award is a great encouragement for future efforts. "There have always been ups and downs in my career. I will keep trying," Asif said after the announcement of the 55th State Film Awards. The actor won the special jury mention for his outstanding performances in the films 'Level Cross' and 'Kishkindha Kaandam'.

"I am happy, I have been very excited for the last four or five days. The announcement of the award was postponed several times. I have been very excited ever since I saw my name along with Mammootty in the final list. That nomination itself is the peak of what I have seen. The special jury mention I have received now is a great fuel not only for my future career but also for my personal life. I have had ups and downs at many times in my career. Every time I go down, I always try to wish in my mind that there will be a great breakthrough. It is when I get such recognition that I feel that if I try, I can achieve it and that I am on the right track," Asif clarified.

The 55th State Film Awards were announced a while ago. Mammootty won the Best Actor award. The award was given to him for his performance as Koduman Potty in Bramayugam. The Best Actress award went to Shamla Hamza for her performance in Feminichi Fatima. Tovino Thomas, Asif Ali, and actresses Jyotirmayi and Darshana Rajendran won the Special Jury Award for acting. Manjummel Boys won the Best Picture award.

Best Popular Film - Premalu
Debut Director - Faasil Muhammed - Feminichi Fathima
Best Dubbing Artist - Sayanora Philip
Best Film Book: Penpattu Tharakal - C.S. Meenakshi
Special Award - Paradise
Female Transgender Category - Payal Kapadia - All We Imagine as Light
Best Make-up Artist - Ronax Xavier
Best Character Actress - Lijomol
Best Lyricist - Vedan