Hounded by online threats and abuses, actor Parvathy files plaint

Award-winning actor Parvathy, barraged with abuses on social media over remarks she made against misogyny in films, has responded to the hate campaign by filing a police complaint.

The actor, by calling out as regressive some of the lines spoken by actor Mammootty's character in his 2016 film Kasaba, had won support from groups concerned over problematic gender dynamics in Malayalam films.

She, however, has since been hounded by angry fans and others who dismiss her and an industry women's collective she is part of as "hypocritical" and "attention-seeking".

Sources said Ernakulam South Police have filed an FIR based on Parvathy's complaint and the Kochi Cyber Crime Investigation Cell is tracking identities of people who posted abusive content against the actor on social media platforms.

"We've communicated with relevant officials in YouTube, Twitter and other social media companies, seeking their assistance in the probe," a senior official in the cyber cell told DH on Tuesday.

The official said the unit commenced investigation in the case on December 16.

Parvathy made the remark against lines from a scene in Kasaba, spoken by the lead character, a police officer, played by Mammootty, during an open forum discussion held as part of the 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala, in Thiruvananthapuram.

The actor said she was "disappointed" to see an accomplished performer like Mammootty speaking lines that belittled women.

"There are people who say that cinema only reflects life. It's true but it all depends on the line we draw whether we glorify it (such actions) or not. When the hero says the line, it gets glorified and gives a licence to many other men to do the same thing," she had said.

The actor was targeted by people who identified themselves as Mammootty fans and critics of "feminists", through a series of abusive threats on social media.

Mammootty is yet to make a statement on the issue.  Parvathy  did receive support from her colleagues in Women in Cinema Collective, a recently formed group of woman professionals in the Malayalam film industry and others, including ministers T M Thomas Isaac and J Mercykutty.