Mumbai: Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu has addressed speculation surrounding her decision to unfollow filmmaker Geetu Mohandas on Instagram, denying that the move reflected a personal fallout between the two. Parvathy said there was “nothing” behind the development and accused people of trying to create divisions between women in the film industry.
The speculation gained attention ahead of the release of Geetu’s directorial Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, starring Yash. Social media users noticed that Parvathy was no longer following Geetu, prompting questions about whether the two longtime friends had fallen out.
Speaking to Galatta Plus, Parvathy dismissed the speculation and said she would not participate in attempts to pit women against one another.
Parvathy dismisses rumours of a fallout
Parvathy said there was no incident behind her decision to unfollow Geetu and argued that the development had been turned into a bigger story than it was.
She said there was a “concerted effort to pit women against women” and made it clear that she did not intend to engage with that narrative. Her comments came after months of online speculation about her equation with Geetu.
The actor also referred to the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), saying that the organisation has helped its members develop a deeper understanding of one another.
According to Parvathy, discussions around the follow-unfollow issue could easily be used to create divisions between women associated with the collective. She said she would not allow herself to be drawn into that conversation.
Why Parvathy and Geetu’s friendship drew attention
Parvathy and Geetu have known each other for years and remained connected even after the controversy surrounding the 2016 Malayalam film Kasaba.
Parvathy had faced significant criticism after speaking about a scene in Kasaba, starring Mammootty, which she considered misogynistic. At the time, Geetu was seated beside her and encouraged Parvathy to identify the film she was referring to.
The episode became a major controversy in Malayalam cinema and resulted in considerable online backlash against Parvathy. Despite that, the two continued to be associated with each other professionally and personally.
The history between the two is one reason the recent Instagram development attracted attention.
Unfollowing happened amid Toxic discussions
The speculation surrounding their relationship intensified after promotional material for Toxic was released.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Yash, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups became the subject of extensive online discussion, including criticism over its portrayal of women. Around the same period, social media users noticed that Parvathy had unfollowed Geetu.
That led to speculation that the two actresses and filmmakers had disagreed over the film or its promotional material.
Parvathy, however, has rejected that interpretation. She said she did not want interpersonal issues to become part of the conversation around Toxic and maintained that the film should be allowed to exist on its own merits.
Parvathy says she will not comment on Toxic
Parvathy also explained why she has chosen not to make a statement about Toxic.
She said that if Geetu wanted to make a film, it should be allowed to come out without her own personal equation with the filmmaker becoming part of the discussion. Parvathy indicated that she did not want her comments to influence how the film was viewed.
Her position comes amid broader debate surrounding the film and its treatment of women. Rather than entering that discussion directly, Parvathy has maintained that the movie should be evaluated independently.
Her latest comments therefore appear intended to separate her personal relationship with Geetu from discussions surrounding the filmmaker’s work.
WCC becomes part of the discussion
The Women in Cinema Collective has been an important part of Parvathy’s public career and her advocacy around issues concerning women in the film industry.
In her latest comments, she suggested that the existence of the WCC can sometimes make it easier for people to frame disagreements between its members as personal conflicts.
Parvathy said members of the collective have a better understanding of each other because of their experiences and the way women in the industry have been treated publicly.
She therefore rejected the idea that an Instagram follow or unfollow should be interpreted as evidence of a serious disagreement between women associated with the collective.
Parvathy stands by her Kasaba criticism
The latest controversy also comes as Parvathy’s earlier Kasaba comments have resurfaced in discussions surrounding Toxic.
In a separate interview earlier this month, Parvathy reiterated that she continues to stand by her criticism of Kasaba. She said she would make the same comments about the film even today, while also acknowledging that Geetu has the right to make the films she chooses.
The distinction is significant because Parvathy’s criticism of Kasaba and Geetu’s decision to make Toxic do not necessarily represent a disagreement between the two filmmakers and actors.
Parvathy’s latest comments suggest that she wants the two issues to remain separate.
Geetu and Parvathy remain in the spotlight
The speculation surrounding the two women highlights how social media activity can quickly become the basis for assumptions about personal relationships in the entertainment industry.
In this case, an Instagram unfollow became linked to wider debates involving Toxic, the WCC and the earlier Kasaba controversy. Parvathy has now made it clear that she does not want to fuel those assumptions.
Her comments also underline her view that women in the industry should not be pushed into opposing camps based on social media activity or professional differences.
For now, Parvathy has declined to treat the Instagram development as a major personal issue and has reiterated that she will not participate in attempts to create conflict between herself and Geetu.