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When the 71st National Film Awards for 2023 were announced late last week, the winners’ list was met with a reasonable amount of surprise and shock. Barring a few well-deserving wins, some misses and even wins were questionable.
For instance, why was Urvashi given the ‘best supporting actress’, when her character was the pivot in Ullozhukku? Why did Prithviraj Sukumaran and Aadujeevitham miss out in every single category? Why did veteran actor Vijayaraghavan win only ‘best supporting actor’ after playing the lead in Pookkaalam?
In Ullozhukku, directed by Christo Tomy, Urvashi plays Leelamma, a widow who struggles with her son’s ill health and daughter-in-law Anju’s initial coldness. When the son dies, the women react and grieve in different ways, but eventually discover a heartwarming, silent companionship.
Now, Urvashi, known for her frank talk, has voiced her protest, asking the jury to explain the protocol, parameters, and the method used to decide what is a supporting role and what is a main role.
“How could they ignore Aadujeevitham?” asks Urvashi. Director Blessy’s survival drama Aadujeevitham, based on Benyamin’s novel, is about Najeeb, who goes abroad for better prospects, but is enslaved by an Arab. He herds goats in the desert for years before he seeks his freedom.
“You have an actor who has given time and effort and gone through a physical transformation to showcase the life of Najeeb, and his gut-wrenching suffering. We all know it is because of Empuraan. Awards cannot get political,” she says.
Prithiviraj directed and acted in L2: Empuraan, the second film in the three-part Lucifer series, which released in March 2025. The initial version featured a recreation of the 2002 riots in Gujarat, which led to widespread protest. Later, the makers announced 17 changes in the film, including removal of the riot scenes and a change in the antagonist’s name.
The actor adds, “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?”
The actor recounts how she had faced a similar experience earlier, when she won the award for the ‘best supporting actress’ for the 2005 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.”
Urvashi recalled that during the 53rd National Awards, veteran actor late Saroja Devi, had argued saying Urvashi should be considered for ‘best actress’ and not ‘best supporting actress’.
“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. 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 says she did not receive many calls of congratulations, because people were wondering how to wish someone who won best supporting actress for playing the lead. “The few who did apologised for wishing. Is this how things should be? 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?’”
Does that mean Urvashi is very happy with the state awards? “No, but that’s our kudumba kadhai (family issue) and we can speak and sort it out. When the Union government gives you an award, the attitude should not be that we have to shut up and accept their decision. I was happy when Fahadh Faasil and Parvathy Thiruvothu (her co-star in Ullozhukku) took a stand in 2018.” The actors had refused to accept the awards–Fahadh won best supporting for Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and Parvathy won a Special Jury Mention for Take Off–because, going against custom, the President would not be handing over the awards.
Ask Urvashi why the questions are primarily from the south, and she says it is the increased awareness. “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.”
Urvashi also says she sees no merit in two people sharing an award. “First means just that—one person. This is all very strange.”
The senior actor says such decisions will be deeply demotivating for those who primarily work as supporting actors. She’s upset on Vijayaraghavan’s behalf too, and asks how the jury decided these people deserve only so much. “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.”
Urvashi, who has worked in over 750 films, says she will take a call on whether or not to receive the award based on the reply she gets. “Till now, no one has called me to explain or ask why I am raising my voice.”
Incidentally, The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen has expressed sadness over the team of his film, which openly peddled misinformation, not receiving more awards, including, ‘best actress’ for Adah Sharma.
Urvashi says she cannot comment on that, as she’s yet to even see the movie.