Kavitha Ranjini, known by the stage name Urvashi, is an Indian actress, dubbing artist, television host, scriptwriter and producer known for her works in the Southern film industry, predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has acted in around 700 films.
She started her acting career as a child artist, in a Malayalam movie Vidarunna Mottukal, released in 1977. Her first released film as heroine was Mundhanai Mudichu (Tamil, directed by K. Bhagyaraj) in 1983. She was a prominent lead actress of the 1980s and 1990s, primarily in Malayalam Films. She has written the films Ulsavamelam and Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu, the latter was also produced by her. She has won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress twice: first for her role in Achuvinte Amma (2005), which marked her return to cinema after a six-year break, and again for her performance in Ullozhukku (2024). She has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress a record six times, which includes three consecutive wins from 1989 to 1991. She has also received three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Urvashi was born to popular drama actors Chavara V. P. Nair and Vijayalakshmi in Sooranad in Kollam district of Kerala .Her elder sisters are actors Kalaranjini and Kalpana. She married actor Manoj K. Jayan on 2 May 1998, which ended in divorce in 2008.
National Film Awards Year Category Film Result 2005 Best Supporting Actress Achuvinte Amma 2023 Ullozhukku
Kerala State Film Awards Year Category Film Result 1989 Best Actress Mazhavil Kavadi, Varthamanakalam 1990 Thalayanamanthram 1991 Bharatham, Mukha Chithram, Kakkathollayiram, Kadinjool Kalyanam 1995 Kazhakam 2006 Madhuchandralekha 2023 Ullozhukku
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Year Category Film Result 1994 Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize Magalir Mattum 1995 Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Kalaivanar Award Contributions to Various Tamil films 2017 Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedy Actress Magalir Mattum
Filmfare Awards South Year Category Film Result1983 Filmfare Award for New Face - Tamil Mundhanai Mudichu Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil Mundhanai Mudichu 1990 Michael Madana Kama Rajan 1994 Magalir Mattum 1996 Irattai Roja 2010 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress - Malayalam Mummy & Me 2018 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Magalir Mattum 2021 Soorarai Pottru 2022 Veetla Vishesham 2024Filmfare Award for Best Actress – TamilJ BabyFilmfare Award for Best Actress – MalayalamUllozhukku
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards Year Category Film Result 1990 Best Actress Thalayanamanthram,Thoovalsparsham 1991 Best Actress Kakkathollayiram,Mukha Chithram 2022 Chalachithra Prathibha Puraskaram Contribution to Malayalam Film Industry
Vanitha Film Awards Year Category Film Result 2019 Best Actress-Special Performance Aravindante Athidhikal, Ente Ummante Peru
Asianet Film Awards Year Category Film Result 2019 Best Actress-Special Jury Award Aravindante Athidhikal, Ente Ummante Peru
South Indian International Movie Awards Year Category Film Result 2019 Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Malayalam) Aravindante Athidhikal 2020 Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Malayalam) Varane Avashyamund Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Tamil) Soorarai Pottru Best Actress in a Comedy (Tamil) Mookuthi Amman 2024 Best Actress (Malayalam) Ullozhukku Best Actress (Tamil) J Baby
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards Year Category Film Result 2007 Best Actress in a Comedy (Tamil) Malaikottai 2017 Best Actress in a Comedy (Tamil) Magalir Mattum 2020 Best Actress in a Comedy (Tamil) Dhilluku Dhuddu 2 2020 Aval Awards for Evergreen Heroine-2021 Soorarai Pottru, Mookuthi Amman , Putham Pudhu Kaalai 2020-21 Best Supporting Actress Soorarai Pottru
Amrita Film Awards 2005: Best Supporting Actress- Achuvinte Amma
Other Film Awards 1983: Best New face Madras Telugu Film Academy Award - Mundhanai Mudichu (Tamil) 1984: Savithry Award for Best Actress - Mundhanai Mudichu 1993: Woman of the Year Award By Film Fans Association for various films 2005: Best Actress Award by Film Fans Association - Achuvinte Amma 2009: Edison Awards (India) for Best Character (Female) - Siva Manasula Sakthi 2010: Jaihind TV Special Award for Best Actress - Mummy & Me 2010: Jayan Smaraka Award for Best Actress - Mummy & Me & Sakudumbam Shyamala 2019: Creative Film Awards - Best supporting actress -Ente Ummante Peru 2021: Women Achievers Awards 2023: 7th Malayalam Film Awards- Best Actress -Jaladhara Pumpset Since 1962 2024: Mazhavil Entertainment Awards- Master Entertainer (Actor)
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