Upcoming filmmaker P S Manu has bagged the prestigious Aravindan Puraskaram, instituted in the name of legendary Malayalam director late Aravindan.

Manu was selected for the 'best debutant director' title of the 25th edition of the award for his movie 'Munroethuruth' (Munroe Island).

The award carries Rs 25,000 cash prize, memento and a citation, a release said here.

An experts' panel, chaired by director Kamal, felt that Manu handled remarkably a very complex subject of unpredictable human mind and its behavior in 'Munroethuruthu'.

Nilanjan Datta, director of Arunachali film 'The Head Hunter', got a special mention for the movie, it said.

25 films from across the country participated in the competition, the release added.