Thiruvananthapuram: Legendary actress Sharada, whose powerful performances defined generations of Malayalam cinema, has been selected for the J.C. Daniel Award 2024, the highest cinematic honour of the Kerala government, in recognition of her extraordinary lifetime contribution to the film industry.
The award, which carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation, and a sculpture, will be presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Kerala State Film Awards ceremony to be held on January 25, 2026, at Nishagandhi Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram.
The selection was made by a distinguished jury chaired by Sreekumaran Thampi (J.C. Daniel Award winner, 2017), with actress Urvashi and director Balu Kiriath as members, and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy Secretary C. Ajoy as member secretary. At 80 years of age, Sharada becomes the 32nd recipient of this prestigious honour.
The jury praised Sharada’s exceptional acting prowess, noting that she brought two National Film Awards for Best Actress to Malayalam cinema. From the 1960s through the following two decades, Sharada immortalised the Malayali woman on screen, portraying endurance, dignity, and emotional depth with remarkable restraint. Sharada won her first National Film Award in 1968 for the classic Thulabharam, followed by national recognition for Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Swayamvaram (1972) and the Telugu film Nimajjanam (1977).
With unforgettable roles in films such as Triveni, Murappennu, Mooladhanam, and Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, Sharada left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema. The jury observed that her immense contribution makes her a truly deserving recipient of Kerala’s highest film honour.
Born Saraswathi Devi on June 25, 1945, in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, she adopted the name Sharada during her debut in Telugu cinema. Sharada entered Malayalam films in 1965 with Inapravukal, written by Muttathu Varkey and directed by Kunchacko, and soon became a favourite of Malayali audiences through acclaimed films like Murappennu and Iruttinte Athmavu, both scripted by M.T. Vasudevan Nair.
Over a celebrated career spanning decades, Sharada has acted in more than 125 Malayalam films, including Udyogastha, Yakshi, Adimakal, Asuravithu, Koottukudumbam, Nadhi, Ennippadikal, Elippathayam, and Rappakal. Sharada also made history as the first Malayalam actress to have her films featured in the retrospective section of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), with her works showcased at the 24th IFFK in 2019.
With this honour, Sharada’s legacy as one of the greatest icons of Indian cinema is firmly and fittingly celebrated.
