Is Anybody Even Asking Questions? Parvathy Thiruvothu On Gender Pay Gap In Films

After his searing performance in 'Ponniyan Selvan', Chaiyaan Vikram is all set to recreate the magic in Pa Ranjith's period drama "Thangaalan".

Based on a true story from the Kolar Gold Fields during British rule in India, the film is about tribal leader Thangaalan who puts up a valiant fight against the British Empire.

Malayalam actor Parvathy Thiruvothu who plays the female lead, describes the film as a milestone in Tamil Cinema. She recently wrapped her schedule on the same and says, "What we have created, the sheer expanse of the project is pretty overwhelming. Pa Ranjith's films cut across all the hypocrisy and are never the ones to turn a. blind eye towards caste, religion, oppression and all of those things for people to watch. It is a very powerful manifestation on screen."

She describes her character as a very powerful woman saying, "She has just come in and like really empowered me even more than I could have ever."

However, it was sharing the screen with Chaiyaan Vikram, an actor whose craft Parvathy confesses to being a huge fan of, that has had the actor most excited.

"We have known each other for years and we would meet each other at award functions before and discuss wanting to work together. We both realise that our schools of acting, be it our techniques or attitude are very similar. So it was one of the best experiences. We were able to get each other and what the scene needed. We both disappear into our roles, and it's wonderful to see that happening right in front of my eyes," she says with a smile.

It has been a busy year for the actor, she made her Telugu debut in the supernatural thriller series 'Dhootha'' and made her return to Hindi screens with
'Kadak Singh'.

Parvathy who made her debut in 'Qarib Qarib Single' opposite Irrfan in 2018 confesses it has been a constant struggle to break out of the box filmmakers tend to put her in.

"People decide what parts and characters they want to see you in. However for me, auditions are a must for all actors, that's how you can convince people whether you are suited or not."

But she does acknowledge this also comes up due to perceptions. In her case more so since she has been vocal and called out the Industry for its treatment of women. So does that play a factor?

"Yeah, but then I would say please do work on yourselves because when you do work with strong personalities, such as myself, there is only room for growth hopefully not fear. We have the budget for CG and everything, but we don't have the budget to pay our actors or other technicians. It is ongoing and not everybody is challenging it. Is my job only to challenge the norms or can I also do some work? After a while, it just exhausts you and you are like I'll just make do with the best that's coming my way. But the only thing I can do is gently politely nudge them to consider auditioning already established actors as well. Are we even having these conversations of taking actors best suited for the part?"

One of the founding members of Women in Cinema Collective, an organization devoted to the welfare of women workers in the Malayalam movie industry, Parvathy remains a champion of the cause of equal pay and gender equality but says it remains a long-drawn battle.

"Is anybody even asking questions? What I've learned over the last five years is that anybody who's keeping quiet is benefiting from it and the silence of it. Some need the work and being vocal can take away that source of livelihood. I'm privileged enough to say that there is enough work for me, regardless of whether I ask questions or not, that I'm not suffering that way. But, one of the things that I realized it was not just me there's an army of people who are continuing to ask questions and as a result are not as prolific as we would want and we need to create opportunities for ourselves if no one else will," she says with resignation.

'Thangaalan' will hit screens on January 26, 2024.