Happy Birthday Parvathy: Five landmark performances that best celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime actor
Whenever someone asks me to name my favourite female actor in contemporary Malayalam cinema, I say Parvathy's name without any hesitation. Despite a few odd choices in her career, there has been a steep rise in the quality of work she has been churning out in the last seven years.
There are very few actors in contemporary cinema who add so much weight to a film purely on merit of acting and script choices. Parvathy is one such actor who needs to be celebrated. So, here we go...
In Uyare, Parvathy plays the bold Pallavi, who goes through hell and back due to the actions of her possessive boyfriend, Govind (Asif Ali). It's arguably her most layered and hard-hitting role
Parvathy delivers maximum impact without ever going theatrical. We are shocked and angered by her plight, but we are also overjoyed at her extraordinary ability to endure in the face of all odds
In Take-Off, Parvathy plays nurse Sameera who shoulders too many responsibilities. A strong-willed woman, Sameera juggles both internal and external conflicts with consummate flair and verve.
Sameera wants to survive but not at the expense of those close to her. When they are taken captive by ISIS, Sameera demonstrates an unusual resolve despite being relentlessly tormented by anxiety
In one of her most sensuous performances, Parvathy plays Panimalar, who longs for Dhanush's Maryan. Despite his initial reservations, he falls for her, and it is easily understandable why.
Her love is strong enough to make him do seemingly impossible things, even escape from the clutches of ruthless captors in Sudan. One of those rare films that paid equal attention to both its leads.
Though Charlie is named after Dulquer's role, Parvathy's Tessa is just as memorable. She is the sort of quirky, adventurous, independent woman whom we may have come across at some point in our lives.
'To live a life with no plans is my plan,' says Tessa as she attempts to break free off her demanding family members. It's a performance that carries the right amount of chirpiness and eccentricity.
A contemporary love story doesn't always evoke the vibe and magic of the classics of the 60s. But in Ennu Ninte Moideen, Parvathy and Prithviraj are so endearing that you are drawn in immediately.
Based on a true love story, Ennu Ninte Moideen carries enough dramatic heft to match its visual splendour (Jomon T John). I can't imagine anyone else in the roles of Moideen and Kanchanamala. Can you?
