‘They're still exploiting newcomers’: Parvathy Thiruvothu on Malayalam cinema

Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu has made a candid assessment of the Malayalam film industry, saying that despite years of activism and public scrutiny, newcomers continue to face exploitation, often without even being offered formal contracts.

Speaking at the 15th edition of The Expresso event in Chennai, the actor said the industry's recent changes are largely being driven by fear of public backlash rather than genuine accountability.

"You're told we're like family"

Parvathy, one of the founding members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), said one of the industry's most common tactics is exploiting the ambitions of aspiring actors.

"When newcomers enter the industry, they're often told, 'We're just like a family. Just do it, you're getting an opportunity,'" she said.

According to the actor, even first-time artists are providing a service that earns money for producers, yet many are denied basic professional protections such as written contracts.

She pointed out that simply getting production houses to establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) has been a major victory because many in the industry still struggle to acknowledge that film sets are workplaces with legal responsibilities.

"Superstars are still treated like Gods"

Parvathy also criticised the culture of hero worship in cinema, arguing that the industry continues to revolve around powerful male stars who are often placed beyond criticism.

"I am vehemently against the idea of deification," she said, adding that this culture allows influential actors and producers to exercise unchecked power over newcomers, making it difficult for them to speak up about their rights or set personal boundaries.

Change has happened but for one reason

While acknowledging that Malayalam cinema has changed significantly over the past eight to nine years, Parvathy believes those changes are largely fear-driven.

She said many influential people are now afraid of being publicly exposed, criticised in the media or facing cancel culture, and that fear has forced better behaviour.

"I'll still take it," she admitted, but warned that fear alone isn't enough to create lasting reform.

According to Parvathy, if there are no real consequences for misconduct, the industry could easily slip back into old patterns of exploitation.

Exploitation goes beyond harassment

The actor stressed that the industry's problems aren't limited to sexual misconduct.

She listed several issues that continue to be challenged today, including:

• Lack of employment contracts
• Poor sanitation facilities on film sets
• Delayed or unpaid wages
• Inhumane working hours justified in the name of filmmaking

She said these practices are now being questioned more consistently than ever before, but meaningful reform still has a long way to go.

WCC took the fight beyond the film industry

Reflecting on the work of the Women in Cinema Collective, Parvathy said one of its biggest achievements was taking the issue directly to the government instead of relying on industry bodies.

The group approached then Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and questioned why an industry that generates significant revenue for the state lacked proper public policies and an independent regulatory system to protect workers.

According to Parvathy, meaningful change required oversight from outside the film industry itself.

"We're not backing out"

Although she admitted she is disappointed with the slow pace of reform, Parvathy made it clear that the fight is far from over.

"We are extremely adamant women. We are not backing out," she said.

She added that if people believe delaying reforms will eventually exhaust the women demanding change, they're mistaken.

"We are already tired of the patriarchy. We are anyway going to be in an inconvenienced position. So, might as well add some spice to it," she remarked.

The Hema committee's impact

Parvathy's remarks come nearly two years after the Justice Hema Committee report exposed widespread issues in the Malayalam film industry, including allegations of casting couch practices, workplace discrimination, lack of basic facilities and unequal pay.

The report became a turning point in conversations around workplace safety and accountability in Malayalam cinema, with the WCC playing a key role in pushing for its formation.

On the work front, Parvathy will next be seen in ‘I, Nobody’, directed by Nisam Basheer. The film, which also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Hakkim Shahjahan, Ashokan, Vijayaraghavan and Madhupal, is scheduled to release on July 9.