Veteran actress Urvashi, who recently secured the Best Supporting Actress honour at the 71st National Film Awards for her critically acclaimed role in Ullozhukku, has stirred a major debate by openly questioning the judgment criteria of the awards jury.
Her pointed criticism comes in the wake of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan being named Best Actor for Jawan, and seasoned Malayalam actor Vijayaraghavan being categorised merely as a supporting actor.
In an interview with Asianet News, Urvashi did not mince her words. “I want to know — on what basis was Shah Rukh Khan picked as Best Actor? And why was Vijayaraghavan, a senior artist of such calibre, pushed into the supporting category?” she asked bluntly.
The actress emphasised that the decision-making process appeared opaque and inconsistent, hinting at a lack of fairness in the final selections.
Speaking with evident frustration, she added, “Kuttettan [Vijayaraghavan] is a stalwart in our industry. If nothing else, why was he not given at least a Special Jury Mention for his extraordinary contribution?”
Urvashi also recounted an anecdote from the making of Pookkaalam, in which Vijayaraghavan played a central role.
She revealed that she was originally offered the part opposite him but had to turn it down due to the physically gruelling demands of the role, particularly the need for over nine hours of makeup each day. “Even if they had offered me crores, I could not have managed it.
But Vijayaraghavan went through that entire ordeal, day after day, and still delivered an incredibly committed and nuanced performance,” she said, stressing, “How can that kind of dedication be relegated to a supporting role?”
Her criticism extended beyond individual cases to what she perceives as systemic bias against Malayalam cinema in this year’s awards.
“Why wasn’t the Best Actress honour shared between two performers this year? What are the rules? Is there any clear, standardised measure being applied?” she asked, demanding transparency.
The actress also underlined that national recognition should feel genuinely earned and valued, not like an obligatory formality.
“This is not pension money. If you are giving me an award, I must feel a sense of pride in receiving it,” Urvashi stated, calling upon Minister of State Suresh Gopi to investigate why so many deserving Malayalam films and artists were overlooked.
The controversy was further fuelled by political backlash over the jury’s decision to honour the polarising film The Kerala Story, which has been accused by many of spreading misinformation and promoting communal division.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to social media to express strong disapproval, writing: By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala’s image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the #NationalFilmAwards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar.
Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by this decision.
It is not just Malayalis, but everyone who believes in democracy, must raise their voice in defence of truth and the constitutional values we hold dear.”
Alongside the CM’s statement, public discontent continues to rise, with many criticising The Kerala Story’s big win while lamenting the complete snubbing of Aadujeevitham — a film many in the Malayalam film community considered award-worthy.
This growing storm over the 71st National Film Awards has now turned into a larger debate — one that questions not only the jury’s criteria but also whether India’s most prestigious film honours are truly representing the diversity, depth, and fairness the industry deserves.
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