Ruckus at 71st National Film Awards: Urvashi raises questions on Shahrukh Khan getting the Best Actor award
Is Politics Influencing National Film Awards? Urvashi’s Question Sparks Debate- The 71st National Film Awards have ignited a firestorm of controversy. Following the initial debate surrounding *The Kerala Files* award, the Best Actor award win by Shah Rukh Khan has sparked a new wave of discussion. Urvashi, the actress who played Leelamma in the Malayalam film *Ullohukkku*, has openly questioned whether political influence is now shaping the National Awards.
Questioning the Criteria- In an interview with *Manorama News*, Urvashi posed some pointed questions. She challenged the very criteria used to judge acting merit. “Is there a defined scale to measure acting ability?” she asked. “Is age a factor in these awards? This isn’t a pension; it’s not something to be silently accepted. Why was Shah Rukh Khan chosen for *Jawan* as Best Actor?” She even suggested an investigation into the selection process, highlighting what she sees as bias against Malayalam cinema.
Allegations of Bias Against Malayalam Cinema- Urvashi’s concerns extend beyond Shah Rukh Khan’s win. She voiced her frustration over the consistent overlooking of Malayalam cinema. She pointed out that the highly acclaimed actor Vijayaraghavan was relegated to the Supporting Actor category, despite a performance she believes deserved the Best Actor award. “What’s the difference between Shah Rukh and Vijayaraghavan?” she questioned. “Are the standards being set solely based on popularity?” Urvashi has appealed to the Union Minister of State, Suresh Gopi, to intervene and investigate the alleged discrimination against Malayalam films. She believes that since everyone pays taxes, all films and actors should receive equal recognition and respect. This is a plea for fairness and a level playing field for all.
Award Winners and Continued Debate-This year, *Ullohukkku* won Best Malayalam Film, and Urvashi herself received the Best Supporting Actress award for her powerful performance. Shah Rukh Khan shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey, while Rani Mukerji won Best Actress. *2018* received the Best Production Design award, and *Pukkalam* won Best Editing. Despite these wins, many in the Malayalam film industry feel their contributions are still not fully recognized at the national level. The debate continues, with many questioning the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
