Actor Urvashi questions her National Award win: Yet to decide if I should accept
Q: Christo Tomy said that you haven't completely healed from the gruesome shooting. When you win awards for a film like that, how does that make you feel?A: Definitely, very happy. We are happy whichever film wins it. Winning it for this film, however, adds on to the joy because, for around 40-45 days, we had to stand in the water and shoot. It was a character that was going through a lot mentally, so we will naturally get into the character at that moment. There are still many issues with my legs because of that shoot. So it's extremely joyful that such a film won this award. Also, it's the result of Christo Tomy's efforts as a filmmaker that it won Best Malayalam Film as well. So, it's double the joy! Q: You won Best Actress award for 'Ullozhukku' at the Kerala State Awards. But, you were awarded in the supporting category at the National Awards. It came as a surprise to many in Kerala...A: It was surprising to everyone who watched the movie, including media personalities. Everyone who called me to praise and congratulate me discussed this issue with me. That's how I felt like raising this question as well. Because at the state level, I got the Best Actress Award.The same goes for Vijayaraghavan, who won Best Supporting Actor [at the National Award for 'Pookkalam' despite playing the lead role]. He won the biggest honour in Malayalam - the JC Daniel award - for that film. He has a long career in films. He is the son of a legendary artist, and he did multiple films with strong characters. In this film, he played the lead role, just like I did in mine.Naturally, looking at the way awards have been presented in these many years, the Best Actor and Actress awards are given to those who play lead roles. Those who have supporting characters are given supporting characters awards. This is the first time a lead character in a film has been given a supporting character awards.advertisementMy point is what if I did a good supporting role in another film, and it won the award, how are they going to give it to me? That's my question. This question is not to any government. I don't intend to include any government in this. I don't play politics. There is a jury appointed by the government. People from North might not know about everyone from every industry. Right? Old directors might know people from most time periods. But the question is whether the jury that went from the South spoke for South Indian films from Malayalam, Tamil etc.? I believe that has not happened.Q: Last year, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actor award. This time, it wasn't shared and the Best Supporting Actress was shared. Do you see any particular reason behind it? A: I don't think there was any reason behind it. Rani Mukherji is a really good actor. Shah Rukh Khan is a good actor. He should have won the award even before. But jury members should clarify what the difference was in performance that sharing was not possible.Q: 'Aadujeevitham' swept 9 honours at the Kerala state film awards and was appreciated highly across. Director Blessy said that the jury chairperson liked the movie and praised it initially, but later thrashed it...advertisementA: 'Aadujeevitham' is a film that narrated the tale of the disastrous life of a man. It's not just a cinema story. It's a real life story which is difficult to even just sit and listen to. The efforts taken by the actor for that role, the physical challenges he faced - Prithviraj is a commercial star. It's one of the most important roles he got in his career. The film didn't get noticed, AR Rahman's music did not get noticed, there is a new actor in the film and no other department's efforts were noticed at the awards. It surprised me also that there was not a single mention of the film. I am definitely upset about it.Q: Social media is praising you for expressing your opinions. You said that if you stay silent it will be an injustice to your juniors. What made you talk about it? A: Not just this issue, I have remained silent many times, thinking that I shouldn't hurt anyone or create an issue. This generation of actors like Rima Kallingal and others used to ask me, "if Urvashi doesn't speak, how will we get an opportunity to speak." People will say that an actor like Urvashi is remaining silent so what is the issue with these new-gen actors?. "This is the situation we are moving into", is what they told me.advertisementThere is already inequality existing. So they told me that if I don't raise my voice at least on some issues, there will come a situation where they won't be able to raise their voice at all. I felt it was right. What I am asking are my doubts. The jury members who went from here are the ones who should reply to it. I am not asking any government but the jury who went from the South. Did they have correct knowledge about these films and these actors? Did they speak for it? So for the next generation, I feel I need to raise my voice.Q: Have you decided to receive the award? Or are you waiting for clarity from the jury members?A: I am waiting for some clarity. I am not someone who will raise issue and questions to get attention. Never in my life have I wondered and got upset thinking about why I didn't get an award. I have never acted to win an award. I will not do it again either. But there should be an answer to everything.There is a protocol in everything which will give answers to our questions. In this country, it's normal in every sector, but my question is why it is not there is cinema. If I get low marks after writing an exam, I have the right to question that in this country. I am a student of cinema. So when my films or films of others are considered, and you find flaws in it, I have the right to ask about the basis for it. That's what I believe, and I need an answer for it.- EndsTrending Reel
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