The winners of the 63rd National Film Awards were announced Monday, March 28, with a few Malayalam movies and actors among them.

Director Salim Ahamed's realistic movie "Pathemari" was selected the best Malayalam film of 2015. Jury member Ramesh Sippy described it as an "artistically narrated saga of two generations of Malayalee workers who migrated to the Gulf for livelihood, told through the poignant story of one man, played by Mammootty." The period drama has Sreenivasan, Jewel Mary, Siddique, Salim Kumar, Shaheen Siddique, Viji Chandrasekhar and Joy Mathew in significant roles.

Gourav Menon has been selected as the Best Child Artiste for his performance in the movie "Ben." Meanwhile, music composer and singer M Jayachandran has won the prestigious Best Music award for the song "Kaathirunnu Kaathirunnu" from the blockbuster "Ennu Ninte Moideen." 

Meanwhile, the award for the best film on social issue has gone to VK Prakash's "Nirnnayakam" for tackling the relevant issue of the curtailing of freedom of movement of the common man due to hartals and procession. The movie, written by scriptwriters Bobby and Sanjay, has Asif Ali, Prem Prakash, Nedumudi Venu and Malavika Mohanan in the main roles. Dr. Biju's "Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal," starring Kunchacko Boban has been selected as the Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation.

Actor Jayasurya got a special mention for his performance in the movies "Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam" and "Lukka Chuppi." Meanwhile, Kerala received a special mention for being the best film-friendly state with film studios, web portals, state government-backed studios and excellent databases.