'On what basis did you give Shah Rukh the National Award?': South actress Urvashi said, 'Pookkalam actor Vijay Raghavan is a true recipient of the award'

Shah Rukh Khan has received the first National Award of his career for the film 'Jawan'. However, Malayalam cinema's veteran actress Urvashi, who herself has won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress, has raised questions about this. She says south actor Vijay Raghavan was a deserving actor, but he was given the supporting actor award, while Shah Rukh was given the best actor award. She questioned on what criteria Shah Rukh looked better than Vijay. Actress Urvashi, in a recent interview to Asia Net (Malayalam TV news channel), questioned the National Award and said, 'What were the parameters to make Shah Rukh the best actor? How Did Vijay Raghavan Get The Supporting Actor Award? Vijay Raghavan is a seasoned actor. Why was he not given special jury mansion?" In the conversation, the actress said that she was offered a role in the film 'Pookkalam' with Vijay Raghavan, but the role needed a physical change, due to which she refused to work in the film. The actress said, 'I could not do this even in crores of rupees, but Vijay Raghavan did it. Apart from this, Urvashi has also raised the question, 'Why the National Award for Best Actress has not been distributed this year. Last year, a Bollywood and a South actress won the best actress award," she said, adding that minister of state Suresh Gopi should probe why Malayalam cinema has not been given importance. Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (film, 12th Fail) have shared the National Award for Best Actor this year. Rani Mukerji won the best actress award for 'Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway'. 'The Kerala Story' has won the National Award for Best Direction and Best Cinematography, after which the Kerala Government has objected to it. Condemning the decision, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote, "It is a matter of great concern to honour a film depicting wrong things with the intention of tarnishing the image of Kerala and spreading communal hatred. The national film awards jury has recognised a story that is based on the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar." "Kerala is a state that has always been known for harmony, peace and brotherhood. This decision has insulted Kerala and its people. This is not just the concern of Malayalis but of every person who believes in the values of democracy and the Constitution. Together we should raise our voice against it," he said. Sivankutty has also reacted to the matter. He congratulated Urvashi, Vijayaraghavan and Christo Tommy for winning the National Film Award from Kerala, but criticised the decision to award 'The Kerala Story'. "Honouring the film 'The Kerala Story', which spreads hatred and baseless allegations, diminishes the dignity of all other awards," he said.