Parvathy Thiruvothu calls out system after Ranjith arrest, says she's not surprised

Parvathy Thiruvothu has criticised the system for failing survivors of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Calling out repeat offences and weak punishments, she stressed the need for real policy changes.

In Short

• Parvathy calls Ranjith’s arrest unsurprising and systemic failure
• Ranjith accused of sexual harassment during film shoot in Fort Kochi
• Industry faces scrutiny after Hema Committee report on exploitation

Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu has said that the arrest of Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan in a sexual harassment case is "not a surprise". She added that offenders like him are not paying the price for their actions.

Parvathy, a two-time Kerala State Award-winning actor and founding member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), said the system is failing survivors. Speaking to News18 Showsha, she noted that the arrest was a repeated offence and that perpetrators often escape justice.

She expressed frustration over the focus on whether survivors’ claims should be believed. Parvathy quoted Kareena Kapoor Khan, saying, "Thak gayi main" (I am tired), reflecting the exhaustion faced by those fighting for justice while managing their careers and activism.

Parvathy also criticised the punishments given in such cases as mere performances. She said that when survivors come forward, they often face exclusion from work, which discourages many from speaking up in the first place.

Highlighting the struggles survivors face, Parvathy said many cannot afford to lose their income and that the public and media often prioritise sensationalism over justice. She stressed that the Women in Cinema Collective will continue to push for real policy changes rather than seek allies in a male-dominated industry.

Ranjith was arrested following a complaint by a young actor who alleged that he sexually harassed her inside a caravan during a film shoot in Fort Kochi.

The arrest has once again brought attention to the regional film industry's ongoing issues with discrimination and exploitation of women. This comes after the Hema Committee report revealed widespread problems in the industry. Ranjith had earlier been involved in two separate serious cases in 2024, raising questions about the effectiveness of measures taken to protect women.

Ranjith, former chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, was arrested on March 31 in Thodupuzha, Idukki. Following the complaint, he was suspended from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala. Earlier cases against him were quashed by courts, but the new allegation has drawn fresh attention to his conduct.

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