Two Malayalam directors win awards at Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart in Germany

Malayalam directors Madhu C Narayanan and Manu Ashokan won awards at the Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart in Germany.

While Kumbalangi Nights director Madhu C Narayanan won the Directors Vision Award, Uyare director Manu Ashokan won the Audience Award.

The Indian Film Festival Stuttgart is Europe’s largest Indian film festival. Since 2004, it is held annually by Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg for five days in July. 

Kumbalangi Nights

“Kumbalangi Nights is spectacular at every level: perfectly orchestrated, multilayered storytelling alongside highly-rated natural acting in an Indian film and a sensitive score that blends with the stunning background of Kerala’s backwaters,” said the jury.

Set in the eponymous fishing village of Kumbalangi in Kochi, Kerala, the film centers on the strained relationship between four brothers living together in a dysfunctional home, and how they ultimately stand up for each other as a family.

The directorial debut was written by Syam Pushkaran and jointly produced by Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim. The film stars Shane Nigam, Soubin Shahir, Fahadh Faasil and Sreenath Bhasi, along with newcomers Anna Ben and Mathew Thomas.

Uyare

Directed by Manu Ashokan, Uyare was written by a critically acclaimed team of Bobby and Sanjay. 

Parvathy starrer Uyare that tells the story of an acid attack survivor Pallavi achieving her goals, won the hearts of the audience as well as the critics.

The movie received widespread critical acclaim and was a major box office success of the year in Malayalam. It was nominated for the Best Debut Feature Film of a director at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).