by the State and Central government for his movies. His offbeat film Kanchivaram was adjudged the best feature film at the 2007 National Film Awards. He made a period epic film titled Kaalapani, in Malayalam, which told the story of freedom fighters in the jail at Andaman and Nicobar Islands; it starred Mohanlal, Tabu, Prabhu and Amrish Puri, and received four National Film Awards, including awards for Santosh Sivan (cinematography) and Sabu Cyril (art direction). The film was dubbed and released in other languages such as Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Civilian Awards 2012 – Padma Shri Awarded "Padma Shri", by the president of India for his contribution to Indian Cinema. National Film Awards 2007 – Director of the Best Feature Film – Kanchivaram (Golden Lotus) 2007 – Producer of the Best Feature Film – Kanchivaram (Golden Lotus) 2019 – Director of the Best Feature Film – Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (Golden Lotus) Kerala State Film Awards 1994 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value – Thenmavin Kombath 1995 – Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film – Kaalapani Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 1991 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Popular Film – Kilukkam 2016 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film – Oppam 2016 – Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director – Oppam Filmfare Awards South 2009 – Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil – Kanchivaram FilmFare Awards 1997 – Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics) – Virasat Other Awards 2008 – Special Honour Jury Award for Outstanding contributions to Indian Cinema 2008 – Special Jury Award at Chennai & Jaipur International Film Festival – 'Sila Samayangalil', an art movie on AIDS awareness. 2010 – Jaihind Rajat Mudra Award 2016 – Asiavision Award for Best Director – Oppam 2019 – Kishore Kumar Award by the Government of Madhya Pradesh 2022 – Honorary doctorate (D.Litt) from Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science. 'Excellence Award', by Hindustan University, Chennai – 2013 Kerala Government's Appointment under Ministry of Culture: Chairman of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy for the period 2011-2014 Director of International Film Festival of Kerala for the period 2011–2014. Sports Columnist for Malayala Manorama Newspaper for international cricket matches played in Kerala. Chairperson of the Committee of Ceremonies for the 35th National Games held in Kerala in 2015. Social Rising Star Outreach of India