BENGALURU: Star Network’s Malayalam GEC offering Asianet has roped in at least eleven sponsors for the seventeenth edition of Asianet Film awards 2015.

The on-ground event was held at Willington Island, Kochi on 11 January, 2015. Ujala Washing Powder is the branding sponsor, the event has been powered by Nirapara and co-presented by Swarnam Nalleanna and Muthoot Mini. Co-sponsors include Henko, Exo, Maxo, Bhima Jewellers, Joy Alukkas, Josco Jewellers and Libero.

Asianet Film Awards will be aired in two installments on Saturday, 24 January and Sunday, 25 January at 7 pm. The channel claims that the live show was witnessed by a crowd of about 20,000.

Among the notable events during the awards included felicitation of South Indian male icon Mohanlal by Manmooty and Asianet managing director K Madahan. South Indian actor Mukesh was honoured for the 33 years in the film industry in various language films.

‘Iyobinte Pusthakam’ won the award for the best film, which was accepted by its producer Fahad Fazil and director Amal Neerad. Anjali Menon won the award for the best director for the movie ‘Bangalore Days’. Mammootty won the best actor award for his role in ‘Varsham’ and  Manju Warrier won the best female actress for the film ‘How old are you’. Biju Menon and Nazriya Nazim were at hand to collect the popular actor’s award. ‘Bangalore Days’ won the award for the best popular film.

Others who won awards include Jayasurya (Best actor in negative role), Haricharan (best male singer), Swetha Mohan (best female singer), Asha Sarath (best character artiste-female), Anoop Menon (best character artiste-male), Suraj Venjaramoodu (best actor in a comic role) and Vineeth Sreenivasan-Namitha Pramod (best star couple).

On the other hand, awards were also handed out to Rafeeq Ahammed (lyricist), Gopi Sundar (music director), Amritha Anil (child artiste), Gopan Chithambaram (Script Writer), Amal Neerad (cameraman), debut artistes Farhan Fazil and Nikki Galrani, Parvathy (best supporting actress), Tini Tom (best supporting actor), Bina Paul (best editor), Fahad Fazil (Performer of the year), Dulquer Salman (Star of the year), Jayaram (Asianet Golden Star award) and Lal & director Venu (Special Jury awards).

Celebrities from the South Indian film industry performed at the live event.