Ranjini calls Maala Parvathi an ‘opportunist’ over controversial remarks trivialising inappropriate behaviour on film sets: ‘Shame on you!’

Several netizens also pointed out that she was indirectly referring to actor Vincy Aloshious’ recent allegations, in which she detailed a similar experience from actor Shine Tom Chacko at a film location. “If we treat every minor incident as a huge deal, how will women sustain themselves in this industry?” Parvathi asked.

“When we step onto the road, lorries and buses are bound to come our way. But if you decide not to cross the road because of that, who really loses out? Similarly, when women enter the workforce, they may inevitably face inappropriate questions and comments — ‘Will you come with me? Sleep with me? Join me here?’ These are things we must learn to manage. It’s a skill,” Parvathi added.

While her comments came across to many as victim-blaming, Ranjini wrote a strongly worded response to Parvathi on social media. “Shame on you Maala Parvathy! You are a trained Psychologist and Lawyer and yet you support perpetrators like these! This shows that you are an opportunist…too sad & I don’t have any respect for you (sic),” she noted while sharing photos of Parvathi and Shine Tom Chacko, who was recently arrested on drug charges.

After her remarks snowballed into a controversy, Parvathi also issued a clarification, explaining that she was simply highlighting the importance of responding immediately. “What I meant was that actresses should react promptly when they face inappropriate behaviour. Vincy should have responded then and there, instead of carrying the humiliation in her mind. Why are girls afraid to speak up in such matters? People are now attributing statements to me that I never intended, things I wouldn’t even dream of saying,” Kerala Kaumudi quoted her as saying.