2 days ago
Parvathy Thiruvothu Recalls Risks Behind Forming Women’s Cinema Collective
Parvathy Thiruvothu helped start a group called the Women in Cinema Collective.
The group supports women working in Malayalam movies.
It began in November 2017 after a serious actor abduction and assault case in Kerala.
Parvathy said the founders knew they might lose work because of their decision.
She said they continued even though they feared their careers could end.
She has also faced online bullying and threats for speaking about problems in the film industry.
Parvathy believes women are treated more harshly than men after a movie does not succeed.
She says some men are given many chances to recover from failures, while women may be pushed aside.
She is now preparing for her next film, Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar.
Parvathy Thiruvothu said WCC founders knew forming it could cost them their careers.
The Women in Cinema Collective was launched in November 2017 after the Kerala actor abduction and assault case.
Parvathy said she has faced cyberattacks, online bullying, vilification and threats over her industry views.
She argued that women are often sidelined after one unsuccessful film, unlike men who receive repeated opportunities.
Parvathy is preparing for the release of Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar on September 11.
- Who
- Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu and the founding members of the Women in Cinema Collective.
- What
- Parvathy discussed the risks of forming WCC, the threats she has faced, and unequal opportunities for women in Malayalam cinema.
- Where
- The Malayalam film industry in Kerala.
- When
- WCC was launched in November 2017; Parvathy’s next film is scheduled for release on September 11.
- Why
- WCC was formed for women working in Malayalam cinema after the Kerala actor abduction and assault case.
Key facts
- Organization
- Women in Cinema Collective (WCC)
- Launch
- November 2017
- Industry
- Malayalam film industry
- Founding risk
- Members believed forming WCC could cost them their jobs and possibly end their careers.
- Challenges cited
- Cyberattacks, online bullying, vilification and what Parvathy described as empty threats.
- Gender disparity claim
- Parvathy said women may be sidelined after one unsuccessful film, while men often receive more opportunities.
- Upcoming film
- Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar, scheduled for release on September 11.
Quotes
Parvathy Thiruvothu
Actor and founding member of the Women in Cinema Collective.
“There are people willing to give directors and actors opportunities even after repeated failures. But there are many women who are pushed aside if one of their films does not do well.”
indianexpress.com
“And I have to thank people who tried to scare me. They kept crying, ‘The tiger is coming,’ but the tiger never came. So, now I am not scared. Most of them have been empty threats.”
indianexpress.com









