Malayalam actor Parvathy Thiruvothu has shared a distressing experience from the sets of her 2013 Tamil survival drama Maryan, starring opposite Dhanush. The actor revealed that during a demanding scene requiring her to be soaked in water for hours, the film's crew continued filming without regard for her comfort, only stopping when she explicitly stated she was on her period.
A Challenging Debut in Tamil Cinema
While Parvathy had earlier appearances in Tamil films like Poo (2009) and Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013), it was director Bharat Bala's Maryan that marked her significant breakthrough. The film, boasting Oscar-winning talents like A.R. Rahman and Resul Pookutty, featured her in the female lead role. However, the shoot's first day proved to be an ordeal. The sequence involved her character being romanced by Dhanush's character while being completely drenched. Parvathy recounted that water was continuously poured on her, and she had not carried a change of clothes, nor did she have an entourage to assist her.
'I Am On My Period': The Statement That Halted Shooting
In a recent conversation with Hauterrfly, Parvathy detailed the lack of consideration on set. The team filmed without pause to check on her well-being. When she requested a break to return to her hotel and change, she was dismissed due to time constraints. "Then I had to loudly tell them that I am on my period and I have to. And they had no idea how to respond to that," she stated. It was only after this forceful declaration that she was permitted to leave. She highlighted the gender imbalance on set, noting there were only three women present, including herself, a scenario she says is still common in many Malayalam film shoots.
Reflections on Industry Practices and Moving Forward
This revelation sheds light on the often-gruelling conditions actors, especially women, can face during film production. Parvathy, known for acclaimed performances in Bangalore Days, Take Off, and Uyare, has consistently been a voice for better working conditions and gender sensitivity in the film industry. Her current projects include the films I, Nobody and Pradhama Dhrishtya Kuttakkar. This incident from the Maryan sets underscores the ongoing need for more empathetic and inclusive practices behind the scenes in Indian cinema.
