Thiruvananthapuram: The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organisation of women professionals in the film industry, has expressed solidarity with women confronting systemic challenges across Malayalam cinema.

In a strongly worded statement titled “Change is not tomorrow, it has arrived among us today”, shared on social media as a post and carousel, the WCC paid tribute to female voices of resistance. The note specifically named singer Pushpavathy, actresses Urvashi and Shwetha Menon, and producer Sandra Thomas, hailing them as examples of courage and resilience.

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The WCC also issued a sharp rebuke to veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan for his remarks at a recent conclave on film policy formulation, accusing him of expressing casteist and sexist views.

“Through his derogatory comments about renowned singer Pushpavathy, Adoor has once again revealed his upper-caste, patriarchal, and anti-Dalit mindset,” the WCC alleged, adding that it “strongly condemns” his statements and “fully supports” Pushpavathy.

Highlighting the marginalisation of dissenting female voices in Malayalam cinema, the WCC said:

Actress Urvashi is taking a stand against the central government's film award selection process.

Producer Sandra Thomas is pushing back against what the WCC described as "anti-women attitudes" within her organisation.

Shwetha Menon, it noted, is also facing resistance as more women step forward to assume leadership roles in film bodies.

“These voices of protest are still unfamiliar, even unwelcome, in the Malayalam film world,” the WCC said in its statement.

The post concluded with the hashtag #Avalkkoppam (With Her), underscoring the collective's support for women fighting discrimination in the industry.