Ever since popular Malayalam actor Parvathy called out Mammootty’s film Kasaba for its sexist dialogues, a vitriolic cyber attack was unleashed on the actor, known for her performances in many acclaimed movies like Take Off.
Two weeks since Parvathy made the statements that seem to have polarised the Malayalam film industry, the actor decided that she will not take the abuse lying down. Parvathy has filed a police complaint against a few users on social media who hurled abuses and sexual threats at her.
Parvathy filed the complaint with DGP Loknath Behera, the cyber cell and the CMO.
Confirming the news to TNM, an official at Cyber Cell said that they were in the process of tracking a few accounts that abused the actor and one that even sent rape threats.
Though the comments were made two weeks ago, Parvathy's social media accounts are still getting hate messages and threats. Many videos mocking her and making derogatory comments are still being widely shared on social media. On the consistent cyber abuse she has been facing for the last few days, Parvathy told TNM that trolls cannot get to her.
From death threats to rape threats, Parvathy saw vitriolic abuse come her way.
Although the trolls believe that they have the clout to intimidate her, they actually don't possess that power, Parvathy said.
"They think they have the power, but they don't. This abuse is not just on me, but also to those people who are close to me. They want my friend's work to be affected by this attack, but in reality, it is not affecting us. This is not affecting me. These are all noises," she said.
Asked about the culture of normalising social media abuse, Parvathy said, "Definitely there is a culture of playing it down.”
She added, "We can't and should not control those on social media. But people need to differentiate between what is abuse and what is not. At least a few who have crossed that line and sent sexual threats against women have to be held accountable."
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