Urvashi questions criterion for choosing National Award for Best Actress
Now, the actress has raised questions about the criterion on which their performances were considered in the supporting category and not in the main category.
Speaking to The Hindu on Monday, Urvashi said she is not questioning the awards given to any other actor, but wanted clarity on how her performance was considered under the best supporting actress category.
'I don't know if the old rules have changed over there. Earlier, actors who played lead roles were considered only for the best actor awards. Quite a few people, including young actresses, have been calling me and asking me about this particular decision of the jury, which made me decide to question the jury's decision. They are concerned whether they will also be ignored from being considered for the main categories. I am raising this question not for myself, but for the younger generation of actors as well as for the future generations. Silence is not an option at least in some matters related to justice. It will only end up encouraging wrong doing. I believe that a possibility of questions being raised might lead them to make just decisions in the future,' said Urvashi.
Questioning the repeated instances of actors and films from the South being overlooked, she said her performance in J Baby was also recommended by the regional jury, but is unsure of whether the main jury watched it as there was not even a mention of it.
'I have no fear in speaking up as these are my own words. I have no connection with any political party. My questions are to the award jury, not the government. I will certainly accept the award because it is a recognition for the entire team of Ullozhukku,' she said.
In Christo Tomy's Ullozhukku, Urvashi plays Leelamma who shares a fraught relationship with her daughter-in-law, played by Parvathy. Devastated by the death of her son and caught amid the revelation of unpleasant truths, the woman digs deep into her reserves of strength to navigate the troubled waters. The performance won her the Best Actress Award in the Kerala State Film Awards.
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Indian Express
5 minutes ago
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‘Prithviraj, Aadujeevitham snubbed at National Film Awards due to Empuraan controversy,' claims Urvashi: ‘Awards cannot get political'
It appears that the controversy surrounding the 71st National Film Awards is far from over, as more voices continue to emerge expressing dissatisfaction over the evaluation and adjudication of the jury. Interestingly, even those who were named winners in specific categories have stepped forward condemning certain decisions of the committee. Among the top critics is legendary actor Urvashi, who has been protesting the jury's decision to relegate performers like herself and Vijayaraghavan to the Supporting Actor category — despite playing the lead roles in the movies they were considered for — and the complete snubbing of Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life. Coming down heavily on the award committee for totally disregarding director Blessy's Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer, Urvashi claimed that it was more than apparent that the film was overlooked due to the L2: Empuraan controversy. In conversation with The News Minute, she said, 'How could they ignore Aadujeevitham? You have an actor (Prithviraj) who has given time and effort and gone through a physical transformation to showcase the life of Najeeb, and his gut-wrenching suffering. We all know it is because of Empuraan. Awards cannot get political.' It may be recalled that Prithviraj's big-budget Mohanlal-starrer Empuraan had courted controversy after right-wing groups expressed protest over the scenes in the movie set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. Subsequently, the makers made 'voluntary modifications' to the already CBFC-certified film. A sequel to actor Prithviraj's directorial debut Lucifer (2019), Empuraan serves as the second instalment in a planned trilogy, penned by Murali Gopy. Urvashi also vehemently criticised the jury for considering lead characters for awards in the supporting roles category. She maintained, 'If they select lead characters for the award for supporting roles, then what happens to the actual supporting actors? Where is the motivation for them to try to better their craft? How did they measure acting to decide whether it is a lead role or a supporting role?' Stating that she had faced a similar misfortune two decades ago, Urvashi revealed that she chose not to react back then over respect for the actor who won the National Film Award for Best Actress at the time. In 2005, Urvashi was awarded the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Achuvinte Amma (2005), although she played one of the two female leads in the movie. Achuvinte Amma marked her comeback after a six-year hiatus. Actor Sarika, who too was making her return to cinema during that time, bagged the Best Actress award then for her performance in Parzania. Urvashi said, 'I did not raise my voice then, because Sarika won Best Actress for Parzania, and I knew she was making a comeback after a personal struggle, and it did not feel right to protest. But this time, I have to speak, not just for myself, but for my younger co-stars. There are so many talented actors in the south who will keep missing out on these recognitions if we don't raise our voice now. The National Awards must be given purely for talent, nothing else. I don't crave awards, but when they come, they should leave you feeling good, not like this. The jury should not take the south lightly, and think we will be happy receiving what they give us.' The legendary actor further emphasised that she was raising the matter not for herself, but for the many young women who shouldn't have to face the same fate. 'I can speak, because I am not dependent on any political party. I pay my taxes, I have no fear. I am raising this, not for me, but for those who walk behind me. I do not want anyone telling them, 'Even Urvashi kept quiet when she won, why are you making noise?'' Urvashi stated that she will decide whether or not to accept the award based on the response she receives. Although her performance in Ullozhukku had earned Urvashi her sixth Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress, it was in the best supporting actor category that she was considered at the 71st National Film Awards. At the same edition of the Kerala State Film Awards, Aadujeevitham had won nine honours, including Best Director for Blessy and Best Actor for Prithviraj Sukumaran.
India Today
3 hours ago
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Why a female-led Ullozhukku's National Award win feels personal
In a landscape where Indian cinema has often been questioned for its representation of women, 'Ullozhukku' stands as a powerful counter-narrative. Featuring Parvathy Thiruvothu and Urvashi in the lead roles, directed by Christo Tomy, this emotionally charged film was a character study of morally flawed characters and their difficult choices. 'Ullozhukku' won Best Malayalam film, while Urvashi bagged Best Supporting Actress at the 71st National Film the film is viewed as one that highlights patriarchal conditioning and women claiming agency, for me, it was an empowering film that promotes the strength of sisterhood. Director Christo Tomy crafted a powerful climax featuring the brilliant Urvashi and Parvathy, who remind us that the ultimate power a woman can hold is the power of there is chatter surrounding certain undeserving films and artistes winning National Awards, 'Ullozhukku' stood out as a deserving winner. The film released in theatres in June 2024 to an overwhelming positive response, garnering praise for the direction and performances of the lead cast. 'Ullozhukku', translated into English as undercurrent, revolves around three characters - Leelamma (Urvashi), her son Thomas Kutty (Prasant Murali), and daughter-in-law Anju (Parvathy Thiruvothu). Leelamma is constantly worried about Thomas Kutty, who suffers from a life-threatening disease. Anju dutifully takes good care of him. The narrative takes a twisted turn when Thomaskutty dies, and secrets begin to emerge alongside the rising floodwaters in Alappuzha, Kerala. 'Ullozhukku' talks about the complex relationship between a daughter-in-law, her mother-in-law and the underlying secrets between them. What sets 'Ullozhukku' apart is how it breaks all the stereotypes. A film that revolves around a mother-in-law and a daughter-in-law almost never shows them bickering. Christo's mother-in-law character, Urvashi's Leelamma, is not the typical villainous mother-in-law but a mother who selfishly hides her son Thomaskutty's health issues to see him married. Leelamma even openly admits to Sister Aunty that she was not trying to deceive Anju or her Parvathy's Anju is not entirely innocent. She is a woman in an unhappy marriage who has an affair, all while taking care of her terminally ill husband. This nuanced characterisation and the conflicts that arise elevate the film beyond conventional melodrama, presenting morally complex characters whose actions stem from deeply human motivations. The film never judges the two characters and their hidden motives. Instead, it shows how they are trapped in their lives.'Ullozhukku' is an exploration of unexpected solidarity between the two women who might otherwise be positioned as adversaries. Despite their differences, Leelamma and Anju share a deep sense of orphanhood - both were brought into this house through marriages that turned them into caregivers, stripped them of their individuality and confined them within four audiences who have long craved meaningful female representation in cinema, 'Ullozhukku's National Award win feels like a personal win. The film's success proves that stories centred on women's experiences - especially the often-overlooked dynamics between women in traditional family structures - can succeed and how!advertisement'Ullozhukku's win is a reminder and proof that quality filmmaking with realistic storytelling can still triumph in a landscape often dominated by commercial entertainers. The film suggests that in times of crisis - both personal and societal - it is not your family, not your in-law's family, but often the connections between women that provide stability and sisterhood that emerges in 'Ullozhukku' is not forced. It's rooted in shared experiences of displacement, duty, and the quiet sacrifices that women make.- Ends
India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
We know it's because of Empuraan: Urvashi on National Award snub of Aadujeevitham
Veteran actor Urvashi has expressed her displeasure with the recent National Film Awards, especially the jury snubbing director Blessy's 'Aadujeevitham', starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. The announcement of the 71st National Film Awards has stirred debate, particularly regarding the categorisation of roles as supporting rather than leading. Urvashi, known for her outspoken nature, won Best Supporting Actress, despite playing one of the leads alongside Parvathy in 'Ullozhukku'.advertisementUrvashi, speaking to The News Minute, questioned the absence of recognition for 'Aadujeevitham', a film about a man's harrowing survival in the desert. "How could they ignore 'Aadujeevitham'?" she asked, stating, "You have an actor who has given time and effort and gone through a physical transformation to showcase the life of Najeeb, and his gut-wrenching suffering. We all know it is because of 'Empuraan'. Awards cannot get political."2025 saw Prithviraj Sukumaran's directorial venture 'L2: Empuraan' make headlines for incorporating scenes which appeared to have depicted the 2002 Gujarat riots. The film faced massive backlash from right-wing groups, after which, the makers voluntarity decided to trim over 2 minutes of footage and change the antagonist's name. The veteran actor said she can voice out because is not aligned to any political party: "I can speak, because I am not dependent on any political party. I pay my taxes, I have no fear. I am raising this, not for me, but for those who walk behind me. I do not want anyone telling them, 'Even Urvashi kept quiet when she won, why are you making noise?'"She admitted that she did not receive that many congratulations. She talked about the confusion among her peers about offering congratulations, stating "The few who did apologised for wishing. Is this how things should be? If they select lead characters for the award for supporting roles, then what happens to the actual supporting actors? Where is the motivation for them to try to better their craft? How did they measure acting to decide whether it is a lead role or a supporting role?."Furthermore, Urvashi expressed disappointment over the decision to share awards between two recipients, stating, "First means just that - one person. This is all very strange." She raised concerns about the demotivating effect such decisions have on actors who specialise in supporting about veteran actor Vijayaraghavan being offered Best Supporting Actor for 'Pookkalam' despite playing the lead role and said, "What a performance he came up with! He's been around for decades. Will he get such a role again? I seek a reply from the jury. Even with exams, you request for retotalling, re-evaluation. So, I hope they do this for the National Awards too. Give us a jury that inspires confidence, and changes the system so that there is nothing but fairness."advertisementReflecting on her past experience, Urvashi shared how she refrained from protesting during a similar situation at the 53rd National Awards, when she won Best Supporting Actress for 'Achuvinte Amma'. "I did not raise my voice then, because Sarika won Best Actress for 'Parzania' and I knew she was making a comeback after a personal struggle, and it did not feel right to protest. But this time, I have to speak, not just for myself, but for my younger co-stars," she actor also emphasised the importance of standing up for the talent in the south, asserting, "There are so many talented actors in the south who will keep missing out on these recognitions if we don't raise our voice now." She underscored the need for the National Awards to be based purely on talent and not regional the disparity in recognition, she commended Fahadh Faasil and Parvathy Thiruvothu for taking a stand in 2018 when they refused to accept their awards under controversial circumstances. Urvashi noted, "I was happy when Fahadh Faasil and Parvathy Thiruvothu took a stand in 2018." She criticised the expectation to accept decisions unconditionally, highlighting the importance of dialogue and stressed the value of education and confidence in questioning decision-making processes. She said, "There's more education here, there's confidence. Therefore, we question. Yes, there will be repercussions, but that's okay. Someone has to bell the cat."She further added, "The National Awards must be given purely for talent, nothing else. I don't crave awards, but when they come they should leave you feeling good, not like this. The jury should not take the south lightly, and think we will be happy receiving what they give us."Urvashi's comments have sparked a broader conversation about transparency and fairness in the awards process.- EndsTrending Reel
