Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): `Adayalangal' (signs), the first feature film by M G Sasi, bagged two important awards for best film and best director in the Kerala State film awards for 2007 announced on Tuesday.

The jury headed by noted Assamese director Janu Barua chose the film, bypassing `Naalu Pennungal' (Four Women) by eminent director Adoor Gopalakrishnan and `Ore Kadal,' a critically acclaimed film by Shyamaprasad.

Mohanlal was adjudged the best actor for his performance in `Paradeshi' by P T Kunhimohammed while Meera Jasmine was selected as the best actress for her role in `Ore Kadal,' which was also chosen as the second best film.

"If talent is being recognised, we should be happy about it," Barua said defending the `unanimous' choice of the jury. "The decision going against someone does not demean any directOr. I did not impose my beliefs on jury members and the selection was unbiased," he said.

Murali was adjudged the second best actor for his roles in `Pranayakalam' and `Veeralippattu' and Lakshmi Gopalaswami for her role in `Thaniye.'

Other awardees are: Jayasree Sivadas (child artiste/ Oridathoru Puzhayundu), P T Kunhimohammed (script/Paradeshi), M J Radhakrishnan (cinematography/Adayalangal), Sathyan Anthikkad (screenplay/vinodayatra), Rafiq Ahamed (lyrics/Pranayakalam), Jayachandran (Music direction-songs-M Jayachandran/Nivedyam), Ouseppachan (background music/Ore