Shamla Hamza Clinches Best Actress at Kerala State Film Awards 2024 for ‘Feminichi Fathima’ Triumph

Shamla Hamza, a native of Thrithala, Palakkad, has been honored with the Best Actress award at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards for her compelling performance in the film Feminichi Fathima. This milestone marks her debut as a lead actress and has earned her widespread acclaim across Kerala and the Malayalam cinema community.

In Feminichi Fathima, directed by Fasil Muhammed, Shamla portrays a nuanced character of a mother and housewife grappling with the confines of a patriarchal household. The film uses subtle storytelling and satire to gradually illuminate social issues faced by domestic workers and women, emphasizing resilience and strength. Shamla's portrayal resonated deeply with audiences, with many praising the film’s nuanced definition of feminism—an aspect Shamla herself highlighted when speaking at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) screening.

Remarkably, Shamla balanced her demanding role while nursing her six-month-old daughter, with strong support from the film’s director and crew. Before this, she was known for her work as a radio jockey and had appeared in the critically noted film 1001 Nunakal.

Shamla's accolade was publicly congratulated by Malayalam cinema legends, including Mohanlal, who extended his wishes alongside those of Mammootty, who himself received the Best Actor award at the same ceremony for Bramayugam. The awards, presented in Thrissur, also recognized Manjummel Boys as Best Film and saw Fasil Muhammed named Best Debut Director for his work on Feminichi Fathima.

The Kerala State Film Awards jury, chaired by actor Prakash Raj, evaluated 128 films in 2024, applauding Shamla’s emergence as a new and powerful acting talent in the Malayalam film industry.

The success of Feminichi Fathima on the festival circuit and its recent theatrical release has sparked interest in a streaming debut, which is awaited by cinephiles eager to experience the film’s poignant message.