Veteran Malayalam actor Urvashi, who is known for her vigor, questioned her best supporting actress honor at the 71st National Awards. When he played the lead role in director Christo Tommy’s ‘Ulozuku’, he was honored in a separate category. In a special interview with India Today, Urvashi said that she is yet to decide whether to accept the National Award, expressing her disappointment over ‘Aadujeeevitham’, raising her voice for the future generation and raised her voice.

He said, “I will decide to receive the award only after receiving clarity from the jury members as to why the main roles in the supporting actor category were considered. He said that the jury should clarify what was the difference in the performance and it was not possible to share the award in that category,” he commented.

Excerpt from interview:

Question: Christo Tommy said that you have not fully recovered from fierce shooting. When you win the award for that kind of film, how do you feel it?

A: Certainly, very happy. We are happy that whatever film wins it. Winning it for this film, however, adds to happiness because, for about 40–45 days, we had to stand in water and shoot. It was a character that was mentally passing away, so we would naturally join the character at that time. There are still many issues with my feet due to that shoot. So it is very happy that such a film won the award. In addition, it is the result of Christo Tommy’s efforts as a filmmaker that it also won the best Malayalam film. So, it is doubled!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg39srqyjug

Question: You won the Best Actress Award for ‘Ulojuku’ at Kerala State Awards. However, you were honored in the auxiliary category at the National Awards. It came as a surprise for many people in Kerala …

A: It was surprising for all those who watched the film, including media personality. Everyone who called me to praise and congratulate me discussed this issue with me. In this way I felt like raising this question too. Because at the state level, I received the Best Actress Award.

He goes to Vijayaraghavan, who won the National Award for ‘Pukkalam’ despite playing the lead role). He won the greatest honor in the Malayalam – Jessie Daniel Award for that film. He has a long career in films. He is the son of a great artist, and he did several films with strong characters. In this film, he played the lead role, like I did in the mine.

Naturally, given the way to present the awards over these years, the best actor and actress awards are given to those who play the lead role. Those who have assistant characters are given supporting character awards. This is the first time a film has been given a supporting character award in a film.

My point is that if I played a good supporting role in another film, and won the award, how are they going to give me? This is my question. This question is not for any government. I do not intend to involve any government in this. I do not play politics. There is a jury appointed by the government. People of the answer would not know about everyone in every industry. Correct? Old directors can know most of the time people. But the question is whether the jury from South spoke to Malayalam, Tamil etc. for South Indian films? I believe that this has not happened.

Question: Last year, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actor Award. This time, it was not shared and the best supporting actress was shared. Do you see a special reason behind it?

A: I don’t think there was any reason behind it. Rani Mukherjee is actually a good actor. Shahrukh Khan is a good actor. He should have won the award earlier as well. But the members of the jury should clarify what was the difference between the performance that it was not possible to share.

Question: ‘Aadujeevitham’ received 9 honors at the Kerala State Film Awards and was highly appreciated. Director Ashirwad said that the jury chairperson liked the film and praised it in the beginning, but later thrashing it …

A: ‘Aadujeevitham’ is a film that told the story of a man’s devastating life. This is not just the story of a cinema. This is a real -life story that is difficult to just sit and hear. Efforts, physical challenges made by the actor for that role – Prithviraj is a commercial star. It is one of the most important roles in its career. The film was ignored, AR Rahman’s music was ignored, the film has a new actor and the awards did not pay attention to the efforts of any other department. It also surprised me that there was not a single mention of the film. I am definitely upset about it.

Question: Social media is praising you for expressing your opinion. You said that if you remain silent then it will be injustice for your juniors. What did you talk about?

A: Not only on this issue, I remained silent many times, thinking that I should not hurt anyone or make an issue. This generation of actors like Reema Kalingal and others used to ask me, “If Urvashi does not speak, how will we get an opportunity to speak.” People will say that an actor like Urvashi is silent, so what is the issue with these new-ji actors? “This is the situation in which we are moving forward”, he told me.

There is already inequality. So he told me that if I do not raise my voice on at least some issues, then there will be a situation where they will not be able to raise their voice. I felt that it was right. What I am asking for my doubts. Members of the jury who left here are those who should answer it. I am not asking any government, but the jury that went from the south. Did he have the right knowledge about these films and these actors? Did they speak for this? So for the next generation, I think I need to raise my voice.

Question: Have you decided to receive the award? Or are you waiting for clarity from the members of the jury?

A: I am waiting for some clarity. I am not a person who will raise the issue and question to draw attention. I have never thought in my life and did not get upset thinking about why I did not get any award. I never worked to win the award. I will not do it again. But everything should be answered.

Everything has a protocol that will answer our questions. In this country, it is normal in every field, but my question is why it is not cinema. If I get less marks after writing the exam, then I have the right to question in this country. I am a student of cinema. So when my films or movies of others are considered, and you find flaws in it, I have the right to ask Aadhaar for it. This is what I agree, and I need an answer for it.