Malayalam actress criticises misogynistic behaviour of male co-stars

Actor Malavika Mohanan has once again addressed the ongoing gender inequality in the film industry. In a recent interview with Hauterfly, she pointed out that while many male actors publicly portray themselves as feminists, their actions often contradict their words.

She remarked that despite conversations around progress, the industry continues to reflect a significant gender gap. According to her, this disparity has never truly disappeared. Malavika noted that over the past five to six years, several male actors have become more strategic, learning how to act woke.

Malavika Mohanan highlighted the double standards she has witnessed in the film industry, calling out male actors who publicly advocate for gender equality but act differently in private.

She explained that these individuals often say all the right things to appear supportive of women and progressive in public, but their behaviour off-camera tells a different story. According to her, some of them end up being extremely misogynistic behind the scenes, which she described as hypocritical, TNIE reported.

Her remarks shed light on a deeper issue within the industry—where some men adopt the appearance of feminism for public approval while failing to live up to those values in practice. She emphasized that such insincere behaviour is not only dishonest but also damaging.

In the same interview, Malavika also addressed the way female actors are often judged based on their appearance. She pointed out a peculiar fixation in the South Indian film industry with showing the navel, something she found surprising when she first encountered it.

Having grown up in Mumbai, she said the attention placed on this specific body part felt unusual and uncomfortable. She noted that there are even online images where people zoom in on women’s bodies, reinforcing the reality of this fixation.

Malavika Mohanan shared that she frequently receives remarks about her weight, whether she gains or loses even a small amount. This, she suggested, reflects the intense pressure placed on women in the film industry to maintain a specific appearance, often overshadowing their skills and talent.

Despite facing such challenges, she remains committed to her craft. She will be seen sharing the screen with Mohanlal for the first time in Hridayapoorvam, a film directed by Sathyan Anthikad.