Parvathy Thiruvothu criticizes system after Ranjith’s arrest, says she’s not surprised
Parvathy Thiruvothu has criticized the system in the Malayalam film industry for failing survivors of sexual harassment. Calling out repeat offenders and weak sentences, he stressed the need for real policy changes.
Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu has said that the arrest of Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith Balakrishnan in a sexual harassment case is “not surprising”. However, he said criminals like him are not paying the price for their actions.
Parvathy, a two-time Kerala State Award-winning actress and founding member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), said the system is failing survivors. talking to News18 ShoshaHe said arrest is a repeat crime and criminals often escape justice.
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He expressed frustration over whether the claims of survivors should be believed. Parvati quoted Kareena Kapoor Khan as saying,I am tired (I’m tired)” This reflects the exhaustion of people who are fighting for justice while managing their careers and activism.
Parvati also criticized the punishments given in such cases as mere show off. She said that when survivors come forward, they often face exclusion from work, which discourages many from speaking out in the first place.
Highlighting the struggles of survivors, Parvati said many cannot afford to lose their income and the public and media often prioritize sensationalism over justice. She emphasized that Women in Cinema Collective will continue to push for real policy changes rather than seeking allies in a male-dominated industry.
Ranjith was arrested following a complaint by a young actor who alleged that he sexually assaulted her inside a caravan during the shooting of a film in Fort Kochi.
The arrest has once again drawn attention to the ongoing issues of discrimination and exploitation of women in the regional film industry. This comes after the Hema Committee report revealed widespread problems in the industry. Ranjit was earlier involved in two separate serious cases in 2024 that raised questions over the effectiveness of measures taken to protect women.
Ranjith, former president of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, was arrested in Thodupuzha, Idukki on March 31. Following the complaint, he was suspended from the Film Employees Federation of Kerala. Earlier cases against him were dismissed by the courts, but the new charge has drawn renewed attention to his conduct.