Filmmaker P.T. Kunju Mohammed's Paradesi stars Mohanlal as an Indian Muslim named Valiyakathu Moosa, who despite being an Indian by birth, lives the life of a paradesi (alien) in his own country. Though the movie did not make it big at the box office, Mohanlal feels that the role is the best role played by him in his entire career. And the good news is that the role has fetched him the Atlas Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor.

The awards, instituted by Atlas Film Critics Association, will be distributed next month. Lakshmi Gopalswamy has been judged the best actress award for her performance in her films, Paradesi and Thaniye. Producer Vindhyan's Ore Kadal and Thaniye produced by K.C. Chacko will share the best film award. Producers of the best film award would receive a cash prize of Rs. 50000 each.

Director Shyam Prasad has won the best director's award, while veteran director Adoor Gopalakrishnan has been chosen for the Chalachitram Ratna award for his contributions to the film industry. Sreenivasan has won two awards, the best writer award for Katha Parayumbol and the special award for acting for his performance in Arabhikatha and Katha Parayumbol.

Meanwhile, Arabhikatha and Vinodayatra have been named the most popular films. Filmmaker Lohithada's Naivedyam bagged the second best film award. The movie also bagged the best debut actor award for Bhama, best music director award for Jayachandran and best playback singer awards for Vijay Yesudas and Sweta Mohan. M. Mohanan and Sreelal Devaraj won the best debut director's award for Katha Parayumbol and Subhadram respectively.