Parvathy Thiruvothu on Female Stereotypes in Cinema: 'We Need More Than the Lovable Woman'

The Indian Express series Expresso returned for its 15th edition, hosting actor Parvathy Thiruvothu for a candid conversation at the Taj Connemara in Chennai. The award-winning actor discussed her journey in cinema, her approach to selecting roles, the responsibilities of activism, and the persistent gaps in female representation across the film industry.

Thiruvothu criticised the stereotypical portrayal of women in Indian cinema, noting that female characters are often reduced to templates. 'We see a mother; the mother template is one. We see a best friend; the best friend template is one. We see a lovable woman. Trust me, I played the lovable woman for many years, for over a decade, before I got the good feminist roles,' she said.

She elaborated that the 'lovable woman' archetype is defined by a single dramatic need: to fall in love. 'There seems to be nothing else plaguing her. There seems to be no worry about her work, or her family, or her health. There seems to be nothing she’s obsessed with except the fact that the man loves her,' she added. Thiruvothu noted that when a woman's career or other interests are introduced, she is often portrayed as unlikable or undesirable.

The conversation also touched on her activism and the responsibilities that come with being a public figure. Thiruvothu emphasised the importance of using her platform to address social issues, while remaining mindful of the impact of her words and actions.

Thiruvothu's remarks come at a time when the Indian film industry is gradually seeing more nuanced roles for women, but she stressed that much work remains. She called for writers and directors to create female characters with depth, whose lives extend beyond romantic relationships.

The event was part of the Expresso series, which has previously featured prominent figures from entertainment and other fields.