Actress
Abhirami
Reveals
Personal
Experience
Of
Colorism:
Abhirami,
a
renowned
actress
among
Malayalis,
has
made
a
mark
in
the
film
industries
of
Malayalam,
Tamil,
and
Telugu
with
her
stellar
performances.
After
a
period
of
relative
absence,
Abhirami
is
making
a
comeback
and
recently
shared
a
troubling
experience
she
had
to
endure.
In
an
interview
with
Movie
World
Media,
Abhirami
candidly
discussed
facing
discrimination
based
on
her
skin
colour.
Known
for
expressing
her
opinions
and
taking
a
stand,
Abhirami
is
also
active
on
social
media,
where
she
addresses
various
issues.
According
to
Abhirami,
the
discrimination
she
faced
was
not
within
the
film
industry
itself
but
rather
during
her
time
living
abroad.
The
most
distressing
experience
occurred
due
to
her
dark
complexion.
The
actor
mentioned
severing
ties
with
the
person
responsible
for
the
incident.
"I
have
faced
rejection
due
to
my
colour.
On
the
Indian
spectrum,
I
may
appear
slightly
fairer,
but
during
my
seventeen
years
in
America,
I
was
considered
dark-skinned.
I
have
had
many
negative
experiences
because
of
it," revealed
Abhirami.
However,
she
also
emphasised
that
she
hadn't
experienced
discrimination
based
on
skin
colour
in
India,
though
she
acknowledged
experiencing
other
forms
of
discrimination
in
India.
Abhirami
went
on
to
share
her
personal
encounter
in
America,
clarifying
that
it
was
a
one-on-one
interaction.
Recognising
the
person's
biassed
mindset,
she
decided
to
distance
herself
from
them.
The
actor
firmly
stated
that
she
terminated
the
relationship
upon
realising
the
individual's
true
nature.
Furthermore,
Abhirami
clarified
that
she
did
not
encounter
any
such
negativity
within
the
film
industry.
Misogyny
Prevalent
In
The
Films
Previously,
Abhirami
had
openly
discussed
the
misogyny
prevalent
in
the
films
she
had
acted
in,
and
this
topic
also
arose
during
the
interview.
She
emphasised
the
importance
of
evolving
perspectives
over
time.
Films
from
the
past
reflected
the
prevailing
mindset
of
that
era,
and
it
wasn't
limited
to
a
single
movie
but
rather
a
prevailing
trend.
However,
she
noted
that
society
and
perspectives
have
changed
significantly
since
then.
"Now
we
are
more
aware
and
engage
in
discussions.
I
have
realised
that
my
past
actions
were
wrong.
It
wasn't
about
any
particular
individual;
it
was
about
acknowledging
the
mindset
of
that
era.
I
am
glad
that
such
perspectives
are
not
prevalent
today," expressed
Abhirami.
When
watching
movies
that
perpetuate
body
shaming
and
other
incorrect
notions,
Abhirami
strongly
believes
that
such
films
should
never
have
been
made.
She
further
added
that
if
she
disagrees
with
certain
dialogues,
she
speaks
up.
Being
a
respected
and
courageous
industry
veteran,
Abhirami
is
unafraid
to
voice
her
opinions.
She
also
acknowledged
positive
changes
implemented
in
many
films
based
on
her
feedback.
The
issue
lies
in
glorifying
wrongdoing.
While
negative
characters
may
exhibit
such
traits,
applause
should
not
be
sought
through
the
glorification
of
villainous
behaviour.
Abhirami
stressed
that
this
sentiment
applies
not
only
to
Malayalam
cinema
but
also
to
other
languages.