Parvathy Thiruvothu, a renowned actor and advocate for women in cinema, has shed light on the persistent gender imbalance in the portrayal of women on screen. In a recent interview, she emphasized the slow progress in the representation of women, highlighting a concerning trend where women are often expected to be 'likeable' while men are not. This 'likeability' standard, she argues, is a double standard that needs to be addressed.
Parvathy's frustration stems from the fact that women are frequently typecast into limited roles, such as the 'best friend', 'mother', or 'lover girl'. These templates, she notes, often reduce women's stories to romantic relationships, neglecting their careers, personal interests, and other facets of their lives. When women characters are portrayed with diverse interests and complexities, they are often labeled as 'unlikeable' or 'not desirable'.
The actor also questions why the responsibility of being 'likeable' is placed solely on women. She points out that men can be flawed and still be rooted for, but women are often villainized for having grey shades. This generalization, she believes, belittles women and perpetuates a harmful stereotype. Parvathy advocates for a more nuanced representation of women, where their flaws and complexities are embraced without being labeled as negative.
One of the examples she provides is her own experience in the film 'Qarib Qarib Singlle', where her character's desires were equally platformed as her male counterpart's. This, she believes, is a rare occurrence and highlights the need for more diverse and authentic female representation in cinema.
Parvathy's passion extends beyond acting. She is hopeful about taking on production and direction roles to have more control over the stories she tells. Her desire to 'walk the talk' is evident in her support for fellow actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who has successfully transitioned into production. Parvathy's journey and advocacy contribute to a broader conversation about gender representation in the film industry, challenging the status quo and pushing for a more inclusive and diverse cinematic landscape.
