Parvathy initially refrained from naming the movie but made it clear that she was referring to Mammootty-starrer 'Kasaba'.Thiruvananthapuram: Award-winning actress Parvathy picked out a recent superstar movie to highlight the misogynist tendencies that lie deep within Malayalam cinema. Speaking at an open forum as part of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram, Parvathy initially refrained from naming the movie but made it clear that she was referring to Mammootty-starrer ‘Kasaba’.
The 2016 movie had drawn flak from the Kerala State Women’s Commission for certain dialogs by the tough cop played by Mammootty but Parvathy’s comments stand out in an industry that tends to eulogize stars and muffle any critical voices.
Parvathy took the unusual snipe against the reigning superstar when she was asked to comment on the negative portrayal of women in movies. She said she was disappointed by the movie in which a great actor was seen badmouthing women.
“I am not sure if the recent movie was a major hit. You all know about that movie. I do not have to say about it. Unfortunately, I had to watch the movie. With all respect to everyone who worked behind that movie, I have to say that movie was a disappointment,” she said.
She later named the movie and the actor when director-actress Geetu Mohandas prompted her.
“A great actor mouths dialog insulting women. It is sad when a great actor who has done so many movies and proved his mettle delivers dialogs insulting women. Many people say that movies just reflect life and society. That is true. But the question is whether we glorify (negative tendencies). There lies the borderline. When a hero says such things, that is definitely glorifying it. This is kind of granting a license to other men to do similar things.
“That is one aspect of it. We have talked a lot about it. We will keep on talking about it. Because we do not want such heroism. We know where we are coming from. A majority of our colleagues, actors and directors, backed us when we formed a women’s collective. Still what kind of a sexual point of view do the movies project?
“In my case, I have grown up watching the movies in which men held such a view about women. I had tried to be such a woman in my relationships. I thought the man I found would love me if I behaved in a certain way. Later, I realized what love meant for a woman after reading several books.
“Cinema presents an exactly opposite viewpoint. Teenage girls need such things for a healthy life. The lack of it forced me into a relationship that exploited me. When he burned cigarette butts on my leg, I thought that was out of love. Because that was how the movies had taught us. If the man really loved a woman, he would beat her to lead her in the right path!
“I do not want any girl who watches my movies to have such a situation. I have to ensure that such stuff do not appear in the movies I work in.”
Parvathy turns trolls' target
However, Parvathy's comments on Kasaba did not go well with many, who claim to be fans of Mammootty.
They resorted harsh trolling, often amounting to verbal abuse, on social media. While some 'advised' Parvathy to stop playing an intellectual, many were busy listing out the characters made unforgettable by Mammootty.
Read more: Entertainment | IFFK in-depth
