Meghamalhar, a stirring nostalgic film about love, bagged seven awards, while Jayaram and Samyukta Varma won the best actor and actress awards respectively at the Lux-Asianet film awards 2002 function.

Jayaram won the award for his role in Theerthadanam and Uthaman, while Samyukta was chosen for the award for her performance in Meghamalhar.

The winners of the awards in the various categories were selected by a 6-member jury headed by Hariharan based on the nominations received from the Asianet viewers and general public.

Veteran actor, Thilakan, was given the special award for his over three decades long 'outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema. Thilakan had after 37 years of active involvement in theatre, entered films in 1973 through Periyar directed by late P J Antony. He was escorted on to the artistically designed 'Egyptian theme' stage by Malayalam film's superstars Mammooty and Mohanlal. The actor was given a crystal trophy, citation and a cash award of Rs.50, 000.

The awards in the other categories are:

Best film: Meghamalhar
Best Director: Kamal (Meghamalhar),
Best supporting actor: Innocent (Ravana Prabhu)
Best Supporting actress: Bindu Panicker (Narednran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka);
Best Scriptwriter: T A Razak (Uthaman)
Best Lyricist: O N V Kurup for the song 'Oru Naru Pushpamai...' (Meghamalhar).

Best Music director: M G Radhakrishnan, 'Kaatte Nee..' Kattuvannu Viclichappol
Best male play back singer: Jayachandran, 'Ariyaathe Ariyaathe...' Ravana Prabhu
Best Female play back singer: Sujatha, 'Prariyaa....' Soothradharan.

Lux new face of the year award went to Nityadas for the film Ee Parakkum Thalika
Best star pair: Biju Menon-Samyukta Varma for the film Meghamalhar
Best Child artiste: Appu (Mookkuthy) and Vihnesh (Pularvettam).

The special jury award went to Danny produced and directed by T V Chandran. Mamooty plays the lead role in the film. Jayaraj's Kannaki and T K Rajeev's Sesham were the other films which had vied for the award.

The best actor and actress award included a crystal trophy and a cash award of Rs.50, 000 each while the best director received Rs.75, 000. Best film received a cash award of Rs.1, 25,000.

The awards in the technical categories, which were announced earlier, went to Venugopal (Cinematography for the film Meghamalhar; Beena Paul (Editing for Meghamalhar); Best art director: Gangan Thalavil and Salu K George for Ee Paruakkum Thalika; Best sound recordist: KrishnanUnni (Kattuvannu Vilichappol); best make-up artiste: P V Shankar and Salim (Ravana Prabhu); best children's film: Pularvettam directed by Harikumar.

Mohanlal announced a 'small surprise' by calling in well known playback singer, Yesudas and honouring him with a Ponnada. Asianet chairman, Reji Menon and Innocent President of AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Actors) were also present on the stage to honour the veteran singer.

Addressing the gathering, Yesudas said the communal divide being witnessed now in many parts of the country was a shame for the nation and all should live amicably. He rendered the famous song "Manasshuyan Madhangalae Shristicchu..." as the entire audience applauded.