Veteran Malayalam actress Urvashi has ignited a passionate debate about transparency and fairness in India’s most prestigious film honors, questioning the very logic behind her categorization at the 71st National Film Awards. Despite winning Best Supporting Actress for her acclaimed role in Ullozhukku (2024), Urvashi is publicly challenging the selection process—demanding clarity on what distinguishes a “lead” from a “supporting” performance, and why consistency is so often missing from the jury’s choices.What’s at the Heart of Urvashi’s Critique?Urvashi—who starred alongside Parvathy Thiruvothu, both widely praised for their powerful performances—voiced concern that while Parvathy was considered for Best Actress, Urvashi was relegated to the supporting category, sparking confusion not just among fans but in the film industry.“Is there any standard scale for acting? Or is it just that after a certain age, this is what you get?” she asked in frustration, adding, “This is not pension money to be silently accepted… How are these decisions made? What criteria is followed?This isn’t her first time questioning the process—she recalled a similar scenario with her 2006 film Achuvinte Amma, where despite a lead role, she was recognized only as Best Supporting Actress.Calling for Transparency and Respect for Malayalam CinemaUrvashi urged both the Centre and the State to be open about the selection process: “Who decides what qualifies as the best performance?... They have a responsibility to let us know on what grounds these awards are decided.The issue extends beyond her own experience: Several Malayalam industry members voiced concerns over perceived snubs this year—actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s acclaimed performance in Aadujeevitham was overlooked, and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan harshly criticized the jury for honoring “The Kerala Story,” calling it an insult to the state.Awards That Divide as Much as They CelebrateShah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the Best Actor award, and Rani Mukerji won Best Actress. Vijayaraghavan and Muthupettai Somu Bhaskar tied for Best Supporting Actor, while Urvashi and Janki Bodiwala shared Best Supporting Actress.Urvashi, however, refuses to quietly accept the honor without answers, stating, If you’re giving me something, I should feel happy receiving it—not just take it home quietly.
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