Onlookers Top 10: Best Debutants of the Year

1. Madhu C Narayanan

Madhu C Narayanan is the latest entrant from the Aashiq Abu school of filmmaking. His directorial debut ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ is one of the best films to have come out of Indian cinema this year. Madhu has showed a lot of promise right with his first independent work and expectations will naturally be high on his upcoming projects.

2. Anna Ben

Anna Ben, daughter of popular scriptwriter Benny P Nayarambalam, made her acting debut with ‘Kumbalangi Nights’. She gave a notable performance in the film. But it was in her second film, ‘Helen’ that showed her real potential as an actor. She will certainly be one of the strong contenders for winning the best actress award.

3. Ifthi

Like Kailas Menon last year, it is Ifthi in 2019 who won scores of hearts with his music in his debut film, ‘June’. The coming-of-age film starring Rajisha Vijayan had 7 songs and each one of them turned a chartbuster. Along with Rajisha’s performance, it was Ifthi’s music that proved to be the biggest plus points of the film.

4. Girish AD

It is never easy to make films with newcomers, that too school-going teenagers. But Girish AD proved it wrong with ‘Thanneer Mathan Dhinangal’ that not was just another hit but turned into a real sensation. The debutant showed his ability to extract the best out of his rookie actors and make a thoroughly entertaining rom-com.

5. Master Achuthan

The wonder kid from ‘Mamangam’ is easily one of the most impressive debutants of the year. He displayed extraordinary skills in performing kalaripayattu sequences, which is a very pivotal part of the film. Despite sharing screen space with several seasoned actors, including the legendary Mammootty, Achuthan showed no signs of a newcomer.

6. Mathukutty Xavier

2019 was a great year for debutant directors. Mathukutty Xavier of ‘Helen’ fame is one of the most promising among them. The director showed brilliant craft in helming a survival drama with equal weightage to romance and family emotions.

7. Mathew Thomas

Mathew Thomas starred in two films this year – ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ (KN) and ‘Thanneer Mathan Dhinangal’ (TMD). His Franky in KN is the most level-headed of the four brothers; he’s matured and subdued. On the contrast, his Jaison in TMD, is like the average school-going teenager of his age, with his own set of insecurities. Both the characters were like chalk and cheese, yet the youngster performed them effortlessly.

8. Ratheesh Balakrishnan

Ratheesh Balakrishnan is not exactly a debutant. Before making his maiden feature film, the heartwarming ‘Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25’, he worked as a production designer in Bollywood films like ‘Force’, ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’ and ‘Badhaai Ho’. With ‘Kunjappan’, he made his arrival as a filmmaker in style.

9. Anuraj Manohar

Anuraj Manohar, a former assistant of Lijo Jose Pelissery, made his mentor proud with his debut film, ‘Ishq’. The film even grabbed attention of the non-Malayali cine goers. The way he conceived a complex story that explores the hypocrisy of an average Malayali guy was worth all the appreciation. A special mention for the daring climax.

10. Chinnu Chandini

Though Chinnu Chandini appeared in a brief supporting role in ‘Anuraga Karikkin Vellam’, it was ‘Thamaasha’ her debut film as a lead actor, that made people notice her. The way she carried herself in the film despite all the so-called imperfections and her adorable chemistry with Vinay Forrt were lovely. Chinnu actually owned the film from the moment she entered the screen in the latter half.