Award-winning Urvashi: Malayalam cinema’s timeless icon and trailblazer
‘This is nothing greater than what you did to me and my son…’ This is the most emotional dialogue heard in Malayalam cinema during the Urvashi era of acting. That expression flowed naturally from Urvashi like a stream.
The 71st National Film Awards ceremony was also dedicated to Ullozhukku. Christo Tomy’s first film 'Ullozhukku' was awarded Best Malayalam Film and Urvashi was awarded Best Supporting Actress. The same character in 'Ullozhukku' was the reason Urvashi was chosen as Best Actress at the recent State Film Awards. The Urvashi era of Malayalam is sure to continue. Urvashi, who had walked effortlessly to the status of an Indian actor a long time ago, has been elevated to the label of being ''something only Urvashi can do''. That name stands tall among the actors who have managed to become a brand of Malayalam cinema.
Urvashi, who made her debut as a child actress at the age of 10, has been firmly established in her own chair in the acting industry for the past four decades. From a child star named Kavitha Manoranjini, Urvashi has become a homely girl, a sister, a wife, a mother, and an aunt. Like a body that fits any shirt, that acting body has captivated the characters through her innate style and expression without any size restrictions.
There is a moment in Sathyan Anthikad’s directorial career when he was proud of Urvashi. He went to Madras to meet Urvashi to tell the story of 'Achuvinte Amma'. Anthikad, who started telling the story by announcing Urvashi’s second appearance, said with a hint of hesitation: ‘Urvashi, in this, you have to play the role of Meera Jasmine’s mother.’ The director was hesitant. There are many scripts that are cut according to the ‘clauses’ put forward before leading actors choose roles. Urvashi looked at the director with a natural expression and said: ‘Even if I have to play as Sukumari Amma’s mother, I will act if it is a Sathyan Anthikad film.’ Sathyan Anthikad says that it was at that moment that he once again confessed that Urvashi was the director’s actress.
Urvashi was one of the successful actresses of Malayalam cinema in the eighties and nineties. When patriarchal film traditions continued to dominate the award circuit, Urvashi silently nodded to the system by filling the showcase in her living room with a record 6 State Film Awards. The National Supporting Actress Award she received for 'Achuvinte Amma' in the second half of her acting career has paved the way for another second half with 'Ullozhukku'.
Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu... Urvashi’s South Indian heyday has been full for four decades. Urvashi has also written two screenplays, 'Utsavamelam' and 'Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu'.
A total of 702 films
She made her debut as Jayabharathi’s daughter in 1979 with the film 'Kathirmandapam'. She made her big screen debut at the age of 13 as Karthik’s heroine. Directors and fans have found each Urvashi in each film. Even if it is a minor role, if the script demands it, she does it without any fuss. Urvashi puts on makeup without complaint. The character of Damayanti, who is the customary bride of Arassumoottil Appukuttan in the film 'Yoddha', is an example.
There is no such thing as a time when Urvashi is hit in films. Urvashi is always a firetorch in cinema. Her father, mother, and siblings, Kalaranjini and Kalpana, who loved drama, are all excellent actors. 'Soorarai Pottru' and 'O Baby' are the two best Tamil films of Urvashi’s career, who has not hesitated to take on new roles despite overcoming setbacks in her personal life at the age of 56. When Christo Tomy was narrating the story that could happen in some of the ups and downs of life, Urvashi sent the director back, saying that she could not bear the burden of the role. Urvashi enters the role with the attitude of a new director who would abandon the project if Urvashi did not act. When she returns, Urvashi is holding the best state and national awards of her career in both hands; declaring that this acting career is for her to continue.