The 71st National Film Awards, announced on Friday at a press conference in New Delhi, may not have delivered a haul for Malayalam cinema like in recent years, but it still registered an impressive presence with wins across diverse categories. From seasoned performers to debut directors, and from technical excellence to heartfelt storytelling, the industry proved its range and resilience once again.Christo Tomy's Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) emerged as the Best Malayalam Film, solidifying the filmmaker's transition from acclaimed documentarian to feature film director.