One of Kollywood's favourite movie stars, Mammootty, has sent a message to his devoted fans in Bahrain ... 'I can't wait to meet you!'

Mammootty is one of 21 leading actors and acclaimed film professionals who have been chosen to receive awards in the kingdom's controversial first-ever Kerala Film Awards ceremony.

Thousands of Keralites living in Bahrain registered a vote for the prize-winners who perform in the Malayalam language and provide South India's high screen offerings to rival world-renowned Bollywood releases from Mumbai.

Organisers of the Kerala Film Awards today dismissed reports of financial wranglings and disputes over star attendances and were boosted by Mammootty's assurances and backing for the island's 'Oscars' to be staged at the Bahrain National Museum grounds on October 3.

In an exclusive interview with GulfWeekly, from his home in Kerala, he said: "It will be a pleasure to come to Bahrain to accept the award. It will be great to meet all my fans and I will be there for the occasion."

Also in the star-studded line-up to feature at the event are Sreenivasan, Dilip, Sidhique, Roma, Samvrutha Sunil and Meera Jasmine.

Santosh Kumar, managing director of Award Ceremony, the company organising the event, said: "We have received confirmation from 19 out of the 21 film professionals that they are attending the show. They will be joined by more than 20 performing artists who are well known to movie fans. We are confident that the show will go on as planned and will be a night to be remembered.

"This will definitely be one of the biggest film award shows in the Middle East. We expect to welcome fans from as far afield as Qatar and Dubai to the show."

Fans in Bahrain are already getting excited by the appearance of so many big names. T Radhakrishnan, a sales supervisor from Gudaibiya, said: "It's wonderful that so many of the top actors are coming here.

"I am a huge fan of Mammootty and have watched all his movies. His excellent acting skill is the reason why the entire state of Kerala - and also the whole of India - love him so much."

Mohammed Anoob, dental assistant at Kims Bahrain Medical Centre, Umm Al Hassam, said: "This is a great chance for fans to get to see their favourite stars. I am trying to get some tickets and would love to see my favourite actors Mammootty and Meera Jasmine."

Mr Kumar explained that the winners will be awarded with prize money ranging from 50,000 rupees (BD400) to 500,000 rupees (BD4,068).

He said: "The highest amount will be awarded to the best actor, Mammootty. This is the first time in the history of Malayalam movies an actor will be presented with such a big amount."

Alongside cash prizes, winners will also receive a memento in the shape of a shell made in marble and plated in gold. Mr Kumar explained that it was designed to symbolise Kerala's traditional richness.

A poll was conducted which attracted more than 7,000 responses in which participants voted for their favourites in 21 categories.

Box office hit Ore Kadal received the top place in four categories - Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.

The film tells the story of a deep and emotional relationship between an economics professor and a middle-class housewife.

The organisers hope to make the awards ceremony an annual event and are in talks with an Indian TV station to provide coverage of the inaugural event.

Mr Kumar, from Gudaibiya, said: "We had been working towards this concept for five years and opened our event management company seven months ago. Our sole purpose is to bring to the island a Kerala film award show - it's a new idea and a very new concept."

The company was formed by Mr Kumar, Ummer Mohammed and Vama Devan. The show is presented by Westar watches in association with Exray.

The price of tickets ranges from BD3 for individual standing to VIP seats at BD100 for four people.

Any profits from the event will be donated to local charities including the Bahrain Society for Children with Behavioural and Communication Difficulties and Alia for Early Intervention.

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