Jyothirmayi Exclusive! 'Not gender, but audience that an actor can bring determines equal pay'

Actor Jyothirmayi, who recently made an awe-inspiring comeback with her latest hit Bougainvillea, is overjoyed to share how she juggled her career along with motherhood. In Part II of her candid conversation with Mathrubhumi, she discussed the overwhelming support system she has, the emotional bond she shares with her son and her perspective on the gender dynamics in the Malayalam film industry. (Part I: 'Be serious, you’re the producer...’ Jyothirmayi recalls 'Bougainvillea' BTS fun)

As a mother, Jyothirmayi's affection for her baby boy, Ray, has always been evident. Yet, balancing intense shoot schedules with the demands of motherhood wasn’t easy. She recalled how her family came together to support her during this challenging time.

"It was so difficult," she admitted. "Thanks to my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and her sister-in-law, they all helped me take care of our son when Amal and I were not around. We had to leave him with people we trusted, especially during the late-night shoots or when filming went on from early morning until late evening. Amal’s mother would always say, 'We’ll manage,' and that was truly a blessing."

Her son's first encounter with her on the big screen was an unforgettable moment. "Ray had no idea his parents were from the movie industry. When he saw me on screen, he was really surprised. He was amazed and started following my dance steps," she smiled. "Even my friends were so happy for me. They took my success as their achievement."

When asked about her character, Reethu, in Bougainvillea, Jyothirmayi revealed that she felt a personal connection with the role. "I love painting, and like Reethu, I used to paint a lot. Though I’ve lost touch with it over time, I hope to get back to it soon," she shared. The emotional bond between her real and on-screen selves made the portrayal even more meaningful.

During the conversation, Jyothirmayi also touched upon the widely-held perception that Mollywood, like many other film industries, is male-dominated. She acknowledged the industry's gender imbalance but offered a different perspective on the evolving landscape.

"The industry has more male actors, but there are female actors who earn more too. Equal pay in the industry isn’t determined by gender—it’s about the audience that an actor can draw to the theatres. As Aamir Khan once said the key to equal pay lies in which actor’s name brings in the crowd," she explained.

She didn’t deny the current male dominance, pointing out that technical roles -- such as those in lighting and direction -- are mostly filled by men, leaving fewer opportunities for women. However, she remains hopeful that the future will see a shift toward greater gender equality.

"The industry has more male presence, but things are changing," she said. "If we look at movie sets today, men outnumber women. But I believe that as more women take on roles... the whole story might change."

Jyothirmayi also reminisced about her favourite, fun-filled scenes with Fahadh and Kunchacko Boban, and her recent OTT release. She even shared her wish to work with superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal, expressing excitement at the possibility of future collaborations.