Actress Parvathy was attacked online by Mammootty fans after she spoke out against purportedly misogynistic lines voiced by the Malayalam superstar in a recent hit film. The Qarib Qarib Singlle actress was speaking at the Women in Cinema Collective at the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala.
According to a report in The Times of India, in a reference to Mammootty’s 2016 release Kasaba, Parvathy said, “I had watched a film recently, to my bad luck. With all respect to the makers, the film disappointed me, as it featured a great actor spitting totally misogynistic dialogues. A lot of people feel cinema reflects life and society, so when a superstar mouths such a dialogue, people might think its sexy and cool.” While Parvathy did not name the film at first, she did so after being prompted by a fellow panellist.
Earlier, the Kerala’s Women’s Commission had sent a notice to Kasaba’s makers in July for insulting women through “sub-standard dialogues.”
Soon after her statement, Parvathy began to receive abusive messages on social media. In a post on Twitter, the actress addressed the hate and clarified her stance.
Vanamala vannallo!!! #trolls
— Parvathy T K (@parvatweets) December 12, 2017
Welcome welcome- please kindly take my words out of context, remind me that I'm "just a actress" and curse at me. Here's to your sensitive chauvinistic blind hearts! 🌵Yours- that annoying feminist. pic.twitter.com/HSUMjHXIKg
This isn't about curbing cinematic creativity. This is only about reassessing how negatives can be imitated in society. And therefore give it a better structure so we avoid glorification of violence and disrespect.
— Parvathy T K (@parvatweets) December 12, 2017
Cinema can reflect all aspects of the society and all kinds of people. The good, the bad and the ugly. But no! It cannot glorify injustice and violence as "cool" & "mass" entertainment. I rest my case. This was a good day indeed! Thank you for sharing (and hurling) your thoughts!
— Parvathy T K (@parvatweets) December 12, 2017
I never criticised him. Simply expressed my disappointment in the movie. Thanks for being respectful in the way you put across the comment here. Very rare it seems here.
— Parvathy T K (@parvatweets) December 12, 2017
Parvathy also received support from Twitter users for taking a bold stance.
Horrible To Read The Comments And Replies!! Every One Has Thier Own Opinions,The Good ,bad and Ugly.. But I Believe That Parvathy Is A very Different Actress Compared With Every Other Actresses Not Only In Her Acting Or Talent.. Such A Strong Women!! She is!! And I Support Her .. https://t.co/snicJNON29
— FathimaSherin (@Fathimasherin18) December 12, 2017
Can Mammooty be blamed for mouthing his scriptwriters’ macho dialogues? Yes, if they glorify and normalise misogyny. That’s what he has done in Kasaba. Should have kept away as P. Gopichand has done with cola ads. I think Parvathy nuanced it well. Need more of this.
— N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) December 12, 2017