Balancing art and inner peace: Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu on her 18-year long journey in cinema

Shapeshifter. Grounded. Audacious. An actor celebrated for stellar performances and versatile roles and activism, Parvathy Thiruvothu has made a significant mark in Indian cinema over the past 18 years. Known for her fearless approach to complex characters, Parvathy continues to push boundaries through her recent release, Thangalan. 

Parvathy is known for her dynamic performances across Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. With standout roles in acclaimed films such as Ullozhukku, Take Off, and Ennu Ninte Moideen, she has garnered recognition for her versatility and depth.

Beyond her cinematic achievements, Parvathy is a vocal advocate for gender equality and social justice. She actively uses her platform to push for meaningful change within the film industry and society at large.

In an email exchange with YS Life, Parvathy shares her journey and how maintaining a sense of balance amid the demands of her career is essential.

A risk-taker

Parvathy’s career began with a role many would shy away from—a character with shades of grey in the Malayalam film Notebook (2006). This early experience significantly influenced her approach to acting. 

Reflecting on this, she says, “I'm not sure about versatility, but as an actor, it set me on a path to view all the characters that I get to play from a very non-judgmental way.” 

This early recognition helped her embrace the complexity of her characters, setting the stage for performances marked by depth and nuance.

Building on her approach to diverse roles, Parvathy cites Anju from Ullozhukku as one of her most challenging performances. “It’s challenging to do a role that cannot be termed black or white,” she explains. The emotional depth required for Anju presented unforeseen challenges, leading Parvathy to initially hesitate. 

“I had initially said no to this part even though I loved the screenplay. It was purely out of fear that I wouldn’t be able to handle the task at hand,” she says.

The portrayal of Anju, a character that was raw and ordinary, pushed her boundaries, demonstrating her ability to tackle complex and emotionally demanding characters. Nevertheless, she received the Best Actress award at the International Film Festival Melbourne (IIFM) for her performance in Ullozhukku.

The evolution of the film industry has changed Parvathy’s perspective on global recognition. Her recent appearance at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) for Ullozhukku highlighted the increasing visibility of Malayalam cinema. “Digital platforms have transformed the way art is consumed and have most definitely changed how careers are defined in the film industry,” she adds. 

While acknowledging the benefits of global accessibility, she also points out the challenges of achieving equal representation for regional cinema. “There is still a tendency to repeat majoritarianism even on digital platforms,” she notes.

Activism and artistry 

Parvathy’s involvement in the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), is an integral part of her identity. 

Her activism aligns with the broader national conversation about women's safety in the workspace. The recent scrutiny of Malayalam film industry, triggered by a government sanctioned repost, marks a significant shift in how the industry is being held accountable.

Parvathy was one among the few from the industry to speak up against the high-profile attack on a leading actor back in 2017. 

“What happened to our colleague in 2017 shook us all to the core. There was no going back to a system that was consistently failing us,” she states. 

Rising above the murmur

Recently, with the Hema Committee report shedding light on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, social media has increasingly shown support for Parvathy's stance. She continues to use her platform to advocate for positive change.

Dealing with online hate and trolling has been challenging in Parvathy’s public life. “From completely coming undone and unable to cope, I’ve now reached a place where it barely impacts me,” she says. 

Learning to differentiate between constructive criticism and baseless trolling through the support of loved ones and self-reflection, Parvathy tackled the art of balancing. 

“I can now make out the difference between criticism that comes from a positive place and the trolling that’s more telling of them than anything to do with myself or my life,” she adds.

Lessons from the lull

“One of the most defining phases in my career was the one and a half years of no work after I did City of God,” Parvathy recalls. 

“The pressure of doing a movie just so I could pay my bills was very high. It’s a matter of luck that I got through in my audition for Maryan just in the nick of time,” she adds. This period of uncertainty was a catalyst for career growth, teaching her the importance of perseverance and continuous learning.

Amid her busy schedule, it is evident that Parvathy invests deeply in her ‘me time’. Her socials scream it. “I invest a lot of time ‘off’. Even while I travel and when I’m not on a film set, I do things that nourish my inner world,” she reveals. 

“My time alone, with friends and family, and even when I travel is not centred around my identity as an actor alone. It helps me widen my perspectives, make a ton of mistakes, and learn from them,” she adds.