Who Is Urvashi? Questioned Shah Rukh Khan's National Award, Is Called Meryl Streep Of South Cinema

Urvashi, a household name in South Indian cinema, is not just an actress but a phenomenon in herself. With a career spanning over four decades, over 700 films credited to her name, and a long list of accolades, she has carved a legacy only a few can match. Urvashi has portrayed a wide spectrum of characters, from the relatable girl-next-door to layered, intense protagonists, all with equal brilliance. Her ability to connect with audiences across generations has made her a beloved figure in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema. More than just a star, she is an artist whose performances continue to resonate, influence, and inspire.

Recently, the acclaimed actress stirred a national debate by openly questioning the jury's criteria at the 71st National Film Awards. Her comments, particularly aimed at the placement of certain actors in the best actor category while her own lead performance alongside some other actors was considered ‘supporting,’ sparked widespread discussion on transparency and fairness in award recognitions. Let’s take a deeper look into who Urvashi is, her roots, rise to fame, milestones, and the recent controversy that has placed her in the spotlight once again.

Early life and career beginnings for Urvashi

Born as Kavitha Ranjini on 25 January 1969 in Sooranad, Kollam district, Kerala, Urvashi hails from a family deeply rooted in the arts. Her parents, Chavara V. P. Nair and Vijayalakshmi, were popular drama artists, and her sisters Kalaranjini and Kalpana also became prominent actresses in the south film industry. Growing up in such a creative environment, it was only natural for Urvashi to gravitate toward cinema. She started her acting career at just 10 years old in the Malayalam film Kathirmandapam (1979), playing the daughter of actress, Jayabharathi. She later appeared in many films as a child artist. Some of them being Dwik Vijayam, Sayoojyam Sikharangal and many more.

Urvashi’s breakthrough role and life towards stardom

Urvashi’s big break came with the Tamil film, Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), directed by K. Bhagyaraj. This movie launched her as a leading lady in the industry and was a major box office success. The film focuses on Parimala, played by Urvashi, who is a mischievous village girl and falls in love with a widower who works as a teacher in the village. The story revolves around her trying to win over his love.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Urvashi ruled Malayalam cinema with her unforgettable performances in films like Kazhakam (1995), where she famously declined any payment and still won Best Actress. In 2005, her comeback film Achuvinte Amma won her the National Award for Best Supporting Actress. She even wrote the film Ulsavamelam and produced Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu. Urvashi is celebrated not just for her versatility in both comic and serious roles but also for her unmatched screen presence, earning comparisons to Meryl Streep for her expressive acting and emotional range.

Urvashi received awards and immense recognition for her work

Urvashi had been showered with awards throughout her career, appreciating her work and talent. She has two National Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her movies, Achuvinte Amma in 2005, and Ullozhukku in 2025. Apart from this, she has six Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress, including a hat-trick win in the years 1989, 1990, 1991. She has also been awarded two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South, among many other recognitions.

Urvashi’s personal life and family

Urvashi’s personal life, much like her film career, has seen its share of ups and downs. She married actor, Manoj K. Jayan in 2000, and they have a daughter, Teja Lakshmi, born in 2001. However, the couple’s marital bliss ended soon as they filed for divorce in 2008. In 2013, Urvashi gave love another chance and got married to Sivaprasad, a Chennai-based builder, and together they have a son, Ishaan Prajapathi, born in 2014. She has often been candid about balancing motherhood and her career, and despite personal challenges, she has never allowed it to affect her professional life.

Urvashi recently received a national award for Ullozhukku 

In 2024, Urvashi delivered a career-defining performance in the Malayalam film Ullozhukku, directed by Christo Tomy, where she played 'Leelamma', a grieving mother grappling with family secrets and personal trauma. The performance was widely praised, earning her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and the National Award for Best Supporting Actress. This, however, is where the controversy began.

The Recent Controversy: Urvashi questioned the jury for National Awards

After the 71st National Film Awards were announced, Urvashi publicly questioned the jury’s decision to recognise her as a supporting actress for Ullozhukku, despite playing a lead role. She also raised concerns over Vijayaraghavan receiving the Best Supporting Actor award for Pookkaalam, another film where he played a lead character. According to her, such misclassifications seem to undermine the integrity and transparency of the awards process. Urvashi could be quoted as saying:

“I don’t know if the old rules have changed. Earlier, lead actors were only considered for the main categories. Many people called me to ask about it. I decided to speak up — not just for me but for the future generation of actors.”

Urvashi raised the question of why Shah Rukh Khan and not Vijayaraghavan was awarded the best actor?

In a more pointed statement to Asianet News, Urvashi asked what were the criteria for selecting Shah Rukh Khan for Best Actor and how was Vijayaraghavan placed in the supporting actor category. She said veteran actor, Vijayaraghavan at least deserved a special jury mention, especially considering the physical demands of his role as a 100-year-old man which included hours of prosthetic makeup daily.

Urvashi raised a bigger concern: Are National Awards biased against regional cinema?

Urvashi didn’t stop at individual grievances. She openly criticised the continued sidelining of South Indian films, including the complete omission of Blessy’s Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) starring Prithviraj Sukumaran from the awards list. She also questioned why the Best Actress award was not shared, despite there being precedents for joint winners in past years. She said:

“If you are giving me something, I should feel happy to receive it. Awards are not pension money.”

Urvashi’s courage to speak out reflects her unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. While she has accepted the award for Ullozhukku, she made it extremely clear that transparency, fairness, and respect for artists regardless of which industry they come from, should be at the heart of any recognition system.

With her decades-long legacy, Urvashi continues to inspire fans through her performances, her voice, which now echoes a demand for accountability in Indian cinema.

Also Read: Meet Acclaimed Malayalam Actor, Kalabhavan Navas, Married To A Popular Actress, Found Dead At 51

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