Veteran actor Urvashi has spoken out against the decision to award her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ullozhukku, calling for greater transparency in the jury’s selection process. In a conversation with Asianet News, the actor said the jury must explain the criteria behind categorising her and fellow actor Vijayaraghavan as supporting actors.
“This is not acceptable,” Urvashi said. “If the approach is to award as they see fit and expect us to accept it without question, that needs to change.” She added that she has requested actor and Union Minister Suresh Gopi to look into the matter. Urvashi criticised the decision not to split the Best Actress award, pointing out that the same was done last year for performances in commercial cinema. “Why do we have awards? On what basis are they given? That needs to be made clear, regardless of the category. If I don’t raise these questions, what should the next generation of artists expect?” she said, quoting fellow actor Rima Kallingal to stress the broader implications of the issue.
She also questioned the inconsistency in awarding Shah Rukh Khan as Best Actor while Vijayaraghavan, who played the lead role in Pookkaalam, was named Best Supporting Actor. “How did you distinguish between the two? On what criteria?” she asked. Highlighting Vijayaraghavan’s dedication, she recalled the physically demanding nature of his role in Pookkaalam, which required extensive makeup each day. “I was initially approached to play his pair in the film, but I declined for this very reason,” she said. “I told them, even if you pay me crores, I wouldn’t do it. But he, at his age, endured all of that and performed. That alone deserves at least a Special Mention.”
Urvashi further alleged that her Tamil film J Baby, submitted for Best Actress consideration, was not even watched by the jury. “Then a film like Aadujeevitham is not mentioned at all. Shouldn’t these things be questioned?” she said.
On the question of jury bias, she remarked, “They said it was a majority decision. But what exactly does that mean? What is the basis? If we’re told the reasoning, we’ll be satisfied. It’s not about blaming anyone, but clarity is essential.” Asked whether she will accept the award amid calls for a boycott due to The Kerala Story also being honoured, she replied, “This is not pension money that we should accept blindly. If the reason for the award is that my performance was inferior, then say so. Was Aadujeevitham not a good film? Why was Vijayaraghavan’s performance not even given a Special Jury Mention?”
Urvashi’s comments come at a time of growing criticism about the perceived opacity and politicisation of the National Awards jury, particularly following the wins of The Kerala Story, which has drawn widespread controversy.