Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra Appointed As Chairperson For Jury At Kerala State Awards 2023

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra who is known for films like Dharavi, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and Chameli has been appointed as the chairperson for the prestigious Kerala State Film Awards 2023. He started his career as an assistant director and scriptwriter in Kundan Shah’s comedy Janne Bhi Do Yaaron (1983) and later worked with directors like Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Vidhu Vinod Chopra for the films Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! and Khamosh respectively. In 30 years of his prolific career, Sudhir Mishra’s works have been awarded three National Awards as well as Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government.

With no background in films, the director learned all that he could from his younger brother Sudhanshu Mishra as he was a student. He made his directorial debut with the film Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin in 1987. He won the National Film Award for Best Debut Director. He went on to make critically acclaimed films like Dharavi, Mai Zinda Hon, Chameli, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Inkaar and Daas Dev. He also directed the web series Hostages which got mixed reviews and critical acclaim. His last two films included Nawazuddin Siddiqui in lead roles. His last directorial was Afwaah which starred Bhumi Pednekar, Summer Vyas and Sharib Hashm in lead roles apart from Nawazuddin.

Supporting Sudhir Mishra in the comprehensive judging process are filmmakers Priyanandanan and Azhagappan. They will head a subcommittee for the preliminary round of judging. They will also join a panel of renowned filmmakers and artists for the final judgement round. It includes acclaimed director Lijo Jose Pellissery, writer N.S. Madhavan, actor Ann Augustine and musician Sreevalsan J. Menon.

The assessment stages will also witness participation from other notable industry professionals. It includes cinematographer Prathap V. Nair, editor Vijay Shankar and writers Shihabuddin Poythumkadavu, Vinoy Thomas and Malavika Binny. They will be accompanied by sound recordist C.R. Chandran in preliminary rounds. The jury will be led by the film critic and writer Janaki Sreedharan. She will be associated with film critic Jose K Manuel and writer O.K. Santosh.

Till now, 160 films have been submitted for the Kerala State Awards 2023. Jury screening will begin on July 13.