The controversies surrounding the 71st National Film Awards, announced last Friday, continue unabated—especially in the state of Kerala.

With even Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slamming the jury—calling the award to The Kerala Story a blatant insult to the noble tradition of cinema—several heated debates have erupted around the coveted awards, much like in the past.

The latest to weigh in was legendary actor Urvashi, who won the Best Supporting Actor (Female) award for her performance in Christo Tomy’s Malayalam directorial Ullozhukku, which also features Parvathy Thiruvothu.

Speaking to a private channel, Urvashi demanded that the criteria for the National Film Awards be clearly explained. She said the jury must clarify on what basis Vijayaraghavan was chosen as Best Supporting Actor and she herself as Best Supporting Actress–further adding to the debate. 

The veteran actor further questioned,

“How did they evaluate the performances of Vijayaraghavan and Shah Rukh Khan? On what grounds were these performances compared and judged? What made Vijayaraghavan the Best Supporting Actor and Shah Rukh Khan the Best Actor? What are the yardsticks here?”

She elaborated further:

“Look at the character Vijayaraghavan played in Pookkaalam—a physically demanding role. He had to sit through hours of makeup. I was initially supposed to be part of the movie, but the role required such strenuous effort that I opted out. That’s why I’m stressing this—Vijayaraghavan is a humongous actor, and there should have at least been a Special Jury Award.”

“We also pay taxes and go about our jobs like everyone else,” Urvashi added, asserting her right to question the jury.

She continued, “They didn’t even mention Aadujeevitham. My own Tamil film J Baby was snubbed—I don’t think the jury even watched it. Shouldn’t these things be questioned?”

“Let people like Suresh Gopi—actor and Union Minister—find out and tell us,” she said.

“I’m only asking: on what basis and how were the awards given? Why wasn’t the Best Actress award shared? Why was Aadujeevitham snubbed? The jury must clarify these points. Not blaming anyone, but I need an answer. It’s not as though we’re being handed a pension fund—we should be able to accept it with joy, if it’s truly deserved,” Urvashi said bluntly.

When she was asked whether she would refrain from receiving the award—in the context of an alleged propaganda film like The Kerala Story being honoured—she avoided giving a direct answer, but emphasized the need for clarification on several aspects related to the awards. She also mentioned that even her colleagues in the Tamil industry have been asking for her to question the parameters used to determine the winners.

Urvashi’s scathing attack on the criteria behind the National Film Awards and the alleged biases has added fuel to the controversies swirling around what is often considered the top honour in Indian cinema.