Mollywood actress Parvathy Thiruvothu has once again spoken about the controversy surrounding her comments on the Mammootty-starrer ‘Kasaba’. The actor has made it clear that she continues to stand by her assessment of the 2016 movie.Her comments come at a time when filmmaker Geetu Mohandas is facing criticism over her latest directorial venture ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’.Years ago, during an International Film Festival of Kerala event, Parvathy Thiruvothu discussed misogyny in ‘Kasaba’ with Geetu Mohandas seated beside her.Parvathy initially appeared reluctant to name the movie. Geetu Mohandas encouraged her to speak. She told Parvathy to “say it”, after which the actor identified the Mammootty-starrer.
Parvathy Thiruvothu refuses to withdraw ‘Kasaba’ criticism
During a recent interview with Manorama News, Parvathy Thiruvothu was asked whether the controversy had affected her career. She was specifically questioned about whether she had lost film opportunities because of her comments.The actor said she does not consider those experiences to be genuine losses. She explained that the controversy helped reveal certain people and situations.“I have said this before… in hindsight, those losses aren’t really losses. It revealed things and people that needed to be revealed. Even if you ask me today, I’ll say the same about that movie. No matter what others say, the truth remains the truth,” she said in the latest interview.
Actor recalls Kerala Women’s Commission action
Parvathy Thiruvothu also pointed out that the controversy around ‘Kasaba’ did not begin with her remarks. She noted that the Kerala Women’s Commission had already taken action over the movie.“Even before I said what I said, the Women’s Commission itself had taken a suo motu case against that film. It’s not that my words hurt someone’s ego,” she said.In July 2016, the Kerala Women’s Commission had issued notices to Mammootty, the director and producer of ‘Kasaba’. The action related to certain scenes and dialogues that were alleged to portray women in a poor light.Parvathy made her comments several months later. She spoke about the movie during an open forum at the December 2016 edition of IFFK.
Parvathy Thiruvothu clarifies Geetu Mohandas’ role
Parvathy has now stressed that her views should not be attributed to Geetu Mohandas.“Maybe I wouldn’t have mentioned names as part of my internal censorship. But my sisterhood emboldened me. They’ve also stayed with me since then. They’ve never abandoned me,” she said.Parvathy Thiruvothu further explained that she and Geetu Mohandas do not have to share identical creative opinions. She also defended the filmmaker’s right to make the kind of movie she chooses.“Besides, what I said was my perspective. Geetu hasn’t endorsed it. She can make any movie she wants. Just because I said it seated next to Geetu doesn’t mean her films should follow the same system. We don’t restrict each other. She has creative freedom; let her make what she wants. Linking the two is just following that age-old patriarchal trope that ‘a woman is a woman’s worst enemy.’ I’m not ready to be a part of that,” she added.
‘Toxic’ records first Monday decline
Meanwhile, ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ has witnessed a sharp fall in domestic earnings on its first Monday.According to Sacnilk, the Yash-starrer collected an estimated Rs 7.45 crore net in India on Day 6. The film was screened across 13,400 shows on Monday.Its India net collection has now reached Rs 221.55 crore. The India gross collection stands at Rs 264.80 crore. The movie also earned Rs 2 crore from overseas markets on Day 6. Along with Yash, ‘Toxic’ also has Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Sudev Nair and Tara Sutaria in pivotal roles.
