Kozhikode: Actor Maala Parvathi has stirred controversy with her latest remarks concerning sexual harassment in the film industry. In an interview given to a YouTube channel, the actor appeared to downplay the gravity of such issues, suggesting that women should learn to “manage” these situations rather than treating them as serious matters.

“Some people in cinema don’t even understand a simple joke,” Maala Parvathi said. “Nowadays, if someone says something like, ‘Let me adjust your blouse,’ or ‘Shall I come over there?’ it turns into this massive stress, everything seems to fall apart. Why should that be the case? Can’t you just say ‘Get lost’ and move on?”

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She went on to question whether such comments should even be internalised as a serious issue, suggesting that if women are to survive in this field, they must develop a thicker skin. “If we treat every minor incident as a huge deal, how will women sustain themselves in this industry?” she asked.

Drawing a metaphor, she said: “When we step onto the road, lorries and buses are bound to come our way. But if you decide not to cross the road because of that, who really loses out? Similarly, when women enter the workforce, they may inevitably face inappropriate questions and comments — ‘Will you come with me? Sleep with me? Join me here?’ These are things we must learn to manage. It’s a skill.”

Maala Parvathi went further to say that sexual harassment could sometimes be brushed off like a joke, without making it a source of conflict. “Just like how we cross a busy road without getting hit by oncoming vehicles, we can get through these situations too. But if you turn it into a huge issue, it will start affecting your work. You’ll start feeling like everyone’s out to attack you,” she added.

Her statements have sparked widespread backlash on social media, with numerous users criticising her for appearing to trivialise serious concerns. The remarks have prompted a wave of public comments, many accusing the actor of normalising inappropriate behaviour and undermining the experiences of harassment survivors.