‘Had this been said earlier, many losses could have been avoided’: Urvashi on Manoj K Jayan’s remark

Actor Urvashi has responded to comments made by her former husband, actor Manoj K Jayan, regarding their daughter Tejalakshmi’s (popularly known as Kunjatta) first film offer. Speaking in a special Onam interview with Mathrubhumi News, Urvashi said that such statements, if considered earlier, might have helped avoid many setbacks in the past.

She pointed out that long before her daughter was born, she herself had been active in the industry with the same abilities and continues to remain so today. “I was here with these talents even before she was born, and I still stand here the same way. But if certain things had happened differently back then, many losses could have been avoided,” she remarked. Urvashi also noted that if good roles came up, she had no objection to her daughter foraying into acting, highlighting that Chennai warmly welcomes Kunjatta as well as the children of her siblings.

At the title launch of Tejalakshmi’s debut film, Manoj K Jayan had said he had first asked his daughter to seek Urvashi’s blessings before accepting the role. Describing Urvashi as one of the finest actors South India has ever seen, Manoj stated he would not have allowed his daughter to take up the project if Urvashi had disapproved. He added that his late father’s wish was for Kunjatta to enter cinema, and her grandfather’s absence at this milestone deeply pained her. Manoj also said he had advised his daughter to uphold discipline, respect for elders, and reverence for teachers as she steps into the film industry.