Parvathy Thiruvothu is widely regarded as one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema. Known for her powerful performances and outspoken nature, she has never hesitated to share her views on social issues, gender equality and justice. However, speaking up has come at a cost. In a recent interview, the actor opened up about the harassment, threats and professional setbacks she faced for raising her voice against injustices in the film industry, particularly those affecting women and marginalised communities.How the 2017 Kerala case changed her journeySpeaking to Zoom, Parvathy opened up about how her life and career took a different direction following the 2017 Kerala actor abduction and assault case. Since then, she has been one of the most vocal voices calling for accountability and safer working conditions for women in cinema.Discussing feminism, the actor stressed that it must be inclusive. According to her, feminism cannot be meaningful unless it acknowledges and supports all marginalised communities. She said that her activism is not extraordinary but simply the minimum expected from someone who has a platform and influence.Parvathy also acknowledged the people who came before her and fought for their rights. She credited these allies for inspiring her to continue speaking up despite the challenges.'There were attempts to silence me'While she remains firm in her beliefs, Parvathy admitted that the journey has not been easy.The actor revealed, “There have been moments in my life and career where the forces that come together to eliminate me — because I have a strong voice, were pretty powerful enough to scare me." Parvathy further revealed that she faced harassment, attacks, death threats and rape threats because of her outspoken stance on issues within the industry.She further added, "I have a mom and dad who are extremely loving and understanding. I have a brother with whom I have amazing conversations; he’s more like my best friend. I have a set of friends who came together when I was harassed, attacked, and had death threats and rape threats issued against me. I had a community of women who came and formed a chakravyuha (a protective circle) around me."Despite the fear and uncertainty, she chose not to back down.The support system that kept her goingWhen asked how she managed to go through those difficult years, Parvathy pointed to her family and close friends.She spoke warmly about her parents, describing them as loving and understanding. She also talked about her close relationship with her brother, saying their conversations and bond have been a constant source of strength in her life.Beyond family, the actor said her friends stood by her during some of her darkest moments. She recalled how they rallied around her when she was being targeted and threatened. Parvathy also talked about the support she received from women around her. Referring to them as a protective circle, she said they came together to shield and support her when she was facing intense scrutiny and attacks.Over time, she has come to recognise that having such a strong support network is a privilege that not everyone enjoys. She noted that many people facing similar circumstances may not have access to the same level of empathy and encouragement.The role of Women in Cinema CollectiveParvathy also spoke about her association with the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an organization formed to advocate for gender equality and safer work environments in the Malayalam film industry.According to the actor, her involvement with the collective helped deepen her understanding of privilege, solidarity and the importance of community support. It also reinforced her belief that lasting change can only happen when people stand together.Speaking out came with a professional costThe National Award-winning actor also revealed that her political and social positions have affected her career.Parvathy said she has lost several projects, including major films, because of the stands she has taken publicly. However, after spending nearly two decades in the industry, she has made peace with those losses.According to the actor, "Those are people I don’t want to work with. If they think what I’m doing is problematic, then I’m judging them back. They are being exploitative and are using their privilege to ensure that some people stay suppressed so that they can get some brownies out of it."Parvathy further argued that some individuals use their influence and privilege to maintain existing power structures, often at the expense of those who are already marginalised.Despite the threats, lost opportunities and criticism, Parvathy remains committed to speaking her mind. Her career continues to move forward with several upcoming projects, including the Malayalam films Pradhama Dhrishtya Kuttakkar and I, Nobody.Parvathy will next be seen in The Storm, the first production venture from Hrithik Roshan under HRX Films for Prime Video. The high-stakes thriller, set against the backdrop of Mumbai, is created and directed by Ajitpal Singh. The series has been written by Ajitpal Singh, Francois Lunel and Swati Das, and also features Alaya F, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma and Saba Azad in key roles.