Photo credit: www.news18.com
Parvathy Thiruvothu Critiques AMMA’s Resignation as ‘Cowardly’ and Calls Attention to Women’s Issues in Malayalam Cinema
The recent turmoil within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has spotlighted critical issues surrounding accountability and the treatment of women in the industry. The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), formed in response to a horrific case of abduction and sexual assault involving a prominent actress in 2017, has long asserted that AMMA fails to provide a safe environment for women and others advocating for rights. The resignation of multiple AMMA office bearers, prompted by revelations from the Justice Hema Committee report about sexual misconduct allegations against various male members, has renewed scrutiny of the organization.
While some view the collective resignation as an opportunity for new leadership to emerge, others, including acclaimed actress Parvathy Thiruvothu, regard it as an evasion of responsibility. Parvathy, an influential voice for gender equality in Malayalam cinema and a founding figure of the WCC, recently articulated her disapproval during a conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt on the YouTube platform Mojo Story. She described the mass resignation as a “cowardly” act that shirks accountability.
Expressing her disappointment, Parvathy remarked, “The first reaction I had when I heard about this collective resignation was, ‘how cowardly.’ How cowardly of them to step away from a position where they are accountable to speak to the media. That’s an immediate cop-out. With this, the onus has again fallen on women to take the conversations and debates forward.” She criticized the resigning members for not showing a sincere willingness to engage with the government and other stakeholders to seek workable solutions.
Further condemning AMMA’s historical actions, Parvathy highlighted the hypocrisy of the current executive body. “This is the same committee that welcomed the prime accused in the 2017 sexual assault case back into its fold while the case was ongoing. This is the same executive committee that denied the existence of these issues until they became public,” she stated. Parvathy also expressed her concern regarding the government’s response, noting that it disproportionately places the burden on women to file complaints and publicly name offenders, often dismissing the implications for their careers and mental health.
Sharing her personal experiences, Parvathy revealed that silence was never an option for her, even when she faced unofficial blacklisting within the industry. “It was at the start of my career in 2005 that I first sensed behavioral issues from men in the industry, which began with discussions around ‘familial’ work without contracts and subsequent payment disputes. Despite these hurdles, I was resolved to pursue other opportunities instead of remaining silent,” she reflected. Her commitment to addressing the systemic challenges has contributed to her reputation as a “difficult person to work with,” yet she remains unwavering in her dedication to advocating for women and confronting these issues head-on.
Source
www.news18.com