2021 MOTION PICTURE
EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Motion Picture Excellence Awards Charter Addendum: 2021 Eligibility Ratification
Following the severe multi-wave resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic across the Indian subcontinent throughout 2021, the Motion Picture Excellence Awards Board of Governors officially ratified a second consecutive extended eligibility window for the 2021 awards cycle, extending the cutoff deadline to January 31, 2022.
With prolonged theatrical shutdowns and distribution backlogs lasting well into late 2021, this extension ensured that deserving works were not penalized by crisis-driven delays. By applying this unified window across all regional industries, the Excellence Awards preserved a complete, uncompromisingly fair slate for the year.
BEST PICTURE
WINNER
SARDAR UDHAM
Nominees
AAVASAVYUHAM
BHOOTHAKAALAM
CHURULI
GARUDA GAMANA VRISHABHA VAHANA
JOJI
MINNAL MURALI
NAYATTU
PEBBLES
SARPATTA PARAMBARAI
best director
WINNER
SHOOJIT SARCAR
Sardar Udham
Nominees
BASEL JOSEPH
Minnal Murali
PA RANJITH
Sarpatta Parambarai
RAJ B. SHETTY
Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana
P.S. VINOTHRAJ
Pebbles
best performance
by an actor in a leading role
WINNER
VICKY KAUSHAL
Sardar Udham
Nominees
DHANUSH
Karnan
FAHADH FAASIL
Joji
INDRANS
Home
RAJ B. SHETTY
Garuda Gammana Vahana
best performance
by an actress in a leading role
WINNER
REVATHY
Bhoothakaalam
Nominees
LIJOMOL JOSE
Jai Bhim
NEENA KULKARNI
Photo Prem
KANI KUSRUTI
Biriyaani
SREELEKHA MITRA
Once Upon A Time in Calcutta
best performance
by an actor in a supporting role
WINNER
JOJU GEORGE
Nayattu
Nominees
PASUPATHY
Sarpatta Parambarai
RISHABH SHETTY
Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana
GURU SOMASUNDARAM
Minnal Murali
ARVIND SWAMI
Thalaivii
best performance
by an actress in a supporting role
WINNER
KONKONA SEN SHARMA
Ajeeb Daastaans
Nominees
LAKSHMI PRIYA CHANDRAMOLI
Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum
UNNIMAYA PRASAD
Joji
SWASIKA
Vasanthi
UMASHREE
Rathnan Pranchan