At the 72nd National Film Awards announced the other day, Yami Gautam won the Best Actress award for Article 370 (Hindi). The choice has been hotly debated. Article 370 winning Best Feature Film alongside the acting award led some to call it predictable or agenda-driven. Yami's category faced more scrutiny.
Many feel that Sai Pallavi was more deserving of the Best Actress award for her impeccable performance in Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Amaran. Besides, Nivetha Thomas was extraordinary in 35: Chinna Katha Kaadu. Amaran and 35 were ignored for the award because they are regional movies.
Sai Pallavi brought emotional depth, warmth, resilience, and quiet strength to the role of a military spouse in Amaran. And Nivetha's performance in 35 was described as her "career-best," "stellar," or "standout" performance. Critics praised her naturalism, emotional range, poise, dignity, and relatable depiction of a determined yet vulnerable mother juggling responsibilities in that film.
This pattern is common. Similar debates happened in past years (for example, around Sai Pallavi and Gargi). "The jury's call reflects their evaluation of the eligible films," a movie buff commented on Reddit.
