By receiving the Silver Peacock for her exemplary performance in the Malayalam film ‘Take Off’ at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2017, Parvathy Thiruvoth Kottuvatta, who is better known as Parvathy, has only emphasised the fact that she is indeed one of the finest actors in Indian cinema.
Amongst the rising tide of female actors in Malayalam cinema, an industry renowned for its male-dominated acting force, Parvathy has made a rare distinction in the field with her choice of roles, which don’t fade away in the background but rather become the focal point of the film.
In ‘Bangalore Days’, the role of paraplegic radio jockey Sara made us believe that no disability could be a barrier, while Tessa in ‘Charlie’ taught us about never stop pursuing things that sets one’s soul on fire.
And how could one ever get over the heartrending tale of Kanchanamala from ‘Ennu Ninte Moideen’ that Parvathy forever engraved into our minds?
Having ventured into Bollywood with Tanuja Chandra’s ‘Qarib Qarib Single’, where she shares screen space with Irrfan Khan, the 29-year-old actor is rising to heights that no female Malayalam actor, or even actor for that matter, has reached until now.
Churning out fewer but quality films, Parvathy has shown no hesitation in working with lesser-known directors and newbie filmmakers, as long as the script manages to catch her interest.
In a time when seasoned actors release multiple films in a year that have same clichéd storylines, a young actor showing her integrity to the field of cinema with such passion is indeed remarkable.
Along with actors like Manju Warrier and Rima Kallingal, Parvathy is helping turn tides with roles that have redefined the screen presence of women protagonists in Malayalam cinema, instead of being the stereotypical arm candy included in the script just to increase the glamour value of the film.
In ‘Take Off’, Parvathy’s portrayal of Sameera, the gritty nurse stranded in Iraq, overshadowed every other performance and even outshone roles essayed by eminent actors like Fahadh Fasil and Kunchako Boban.
We congratulate the young, fiery actress for her spectacular win and hope that she continues to mesmerise us with her out-of-box films and exceptional acting skills.