We know it's because of Empuraan: Urvashi on National Award snub of Aadujeevitham
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 roles.Speaking 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 said.The 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 bias.Addressing 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 resolution.advertisementUrvashi 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
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India Today
19 minutes ago
- India Today
Actor Urvashi questions her National Award win: Yet to decide if I should accept
Veteran Malayalam actor Urvashi, known for her outspokenness, questioned her Best Supporting Actress honour at the 71st National Awards. While she played the lead role in director Christo Tomy's 'Ullozhukku', she was awarded in a different category. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Urvashi stated that she is yet to decide whether to accept the National Award, expressing her disappointment at 'Aadujeevitham' being snubbed and raising her voice for the future will decide whether to receive the award only after I get clarity from jury members on why lead roles were considered in the supporting actor category. She said the jury should clarify what the difference was in performance and that sharing the award in that category was also not possible," she from the interview: Q: Christo Tomy said that you haven't completely healed from the gruesome shooting. When you win awards for a film like that, how does that make you feel?A: Definitely, very happy. We are happy whichever film wins it. Winning it for this film, however, adds on to the joy because, for around 40-45 days, we had to stand in the water and shoot. It was a character that was going through a lot mentally, so we will naturally get into the character at that moment. There are still many issues with my legs because of that shoot. So it's extremely joyful that such a film won this award. Also, it's the result of Christo Tomy's efforts as a filmmaker that it won Best Malayalam Film as well. So, it's double the joy! Q: You won Best Actress award for 'Ullozhukku' at the Kerala State Awards. But, you were awarded in the supporting category at the National Awards. It came as a surprise to many in Kerala...A: It was surprising to everyone who watched the movie, including media personalities. Everyone who called me to praise and congratulate me discussed this issue with me. That's how I felt like raising this question as well. Because at the state level, I got the Best Actress same goes for Vijayaraghavan, who won Best Supporting Actor [at the National Award for 'Pookkalam' despite playing the lead role]. He won the biggest honour in Malayalam - the JC Daniel award - for that film. He has a long career in films. He is the son of a legendary artist, and he did multiple films with strong characters. In this film, he played the lead role, just like I did in looking at the way awards have been presented in these many years, the Best Actor and Actress awards are given to those who play lead roles. Those who have supporting characters are given supporting characters awards. This is the first time a lead character in a film has been given a supporting character point is what if I did a good supporting role in another film, and it won the award, how are they going to give it to me? That's my question. This question is not to any government. I don't intend to include any government in this. I don't play politics. There is a jury appointed by the government. People from North might not know about everyone from every industry. Right? Old directors might know people from most time periods. But the question is whether the jury that went from the South spoke for South Indian films from Malayalam, Tamil etc.? I believe that has not happened.Q: Last year, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actor award. This time, it wasn't shared and the Best Supporting Actress was shared. Do you see any particular reason behind it? A: I don't think there was any reason behind it. Rani Mukherji is a really good actor. Shah Rukh Khan is a good actor. He should have won the award even before. But jury members should clarify what the difference was in performance that sharing was not possible.Q: 'Aadujeevitham' swept 9 honours at the Kerala state film awards and was appreciated highly across. Director Blessy said that the jury chairperson liked the movie and praised it initially, but later thrashed 'Aadujeevitham' is a film that narrated the tale of the disastrous life of a man. It's not just a cinema story. It's a real life story which is difficult to even just sit and listen to. The efforts taken by the actor for that role, the physical challenges he faced - Prithviraj is a commercial star. It's one of the most important roles he got in his career. The film didn't get noticed, AR Rahman's music did not get noticed, there is a new actor in the film and no other department's efforts were noticed at the awards. It surprised me also that there was not a single mention of the film. I am definitely upset about it.Q: Social media is praising you for expressing your opinions. You said that if you stay silent it will be an injustice to your juniors. What made you talk about it? A: Not just this issue, I have remained silent many times, thinking that I shouldn't hurt anyone or create an issue. This generation of actors like Rima Kallingal and others used to ask me, "if Urvashi doesn't speak, how will we get an opportunity to speak." People will say that an actor like Urvashi is remaining silent so what is the issue with these new-gen actors?. "This is the situation we are moving into", is what they told is already inequality existing. So they told me that if I don't raise my voice at least on some issues, there will come a situation where they won't be able to raise their voice at all. I felt it was right. What I am asking are my doubts. The jury members who went from here are the ones who should reply to it. I am not asking any government but the jury who went from the South. Did they have correct knowledge about these films and these actors? Did they speak for it? So for the next generation, I feel I need to raise my voice.Q: Have you decided to receive the award? Or are you waiting for clarity from the jury members?A: I am waiting for some clarity. I am not someone who will raise issue and questions to get attention. Never in my life have I wondered and got upset thinking about why I didn't get an award. I have never acted to win an award. I will not do it again either. But there should be an answer to is a protocol in everything which will give answers to our questions. In this country, it's normal in every sector, but my question is why it is not there is cinema. If I get low marks after writing an exam, I have the right to question that in this country. I am a student of cinema. So when my films or films of others are considered, and you find flaws in it, I have the right to ask about the basis for it. That's what I believe, and I need an answer for it.- EndsTrending Reel
The Hindu
an hour ago
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Film society congratulates Chidanand S. Naik
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United News of India
2 hours ago
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Amruta Rao From Black & White Broadcasts to National Award Glory: Veteran Newsreader-Turned-Producer Triumphs with ‘Shyamchi Aai'
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