This Vishu (Malayalam New Year) marks a special beginning for Parvathy Thiruvothu, known for being a part of Malayalam and Tamil films such as Bangalore Days and Uttama Villain. The actress, who was seen with Irrfan in the film Qarib Qarib Singlle, is celebrating the festival in her Mumbai home after moving to the city last December. She welcomed us into her cozy Bandra home, styled with elegant European interiors, and personally served a scrumptious sadhya, a traditional Kerala vegetarian feast on a banana leaf. From aviyal and sambar to pachadi, among other delicacies, and ending with payasam for dessert, the meal offered a delightful harmony of sweet, sour and spicy flavours.‘I love my Kerala rice’Parvathy shares, “In Trivandrum, the first thing that you reach out for is parippu, which is dal. We have it with rice and a little bit of ghee. Then there’s avial and pachadi. Avial is a staple dish in sadhya known for its blend of various vegetables and coconut flavour while pachadi has that yogurt-based relish that adds a tangy element. There’s sambar and kalan which you can have with the rice as well. I love my Kerala rice. I can have it morning, afternoon or night! It feeds my soul and makes me happy.”
Parvathy Thiruvothu celebrates Vishu in her Mumbai home
‘Doing things on my own can feel a bit lonely’Speaking about her memories of Kerala and transition to Mumbai, she says, “Back home, you will always find my mom and dad in the kitchen together. If she’s cutting the vegetables, he’s making payasam, the responsibilities are always shared. I’ve grown up witnessing that kind of partnership, so doing everything on my own can feel a bit lonely. While I miss celebrating days like these with my parents, this feels like a close second, a new experience. It’s like I’m coming out of my shell.”‘I’m making a conscious effort to do everything with intention’As we prepare to relish the meal, she insists on serving us herself, saying, “As I grow in life, I’m making a conscious effort to do everything with intention. Whether it’s sharing this meal with you or taking the time to meet a friend in person instead of just chatting on Instagram, I avoid anything that feels surface-level, it can be quite draining. I suppose I’m learning to ‘adult’ without my parents, who are still in Kerala.”‘It’s important to pause and choose what adds value to your life’Speaking about what prompted her move to Mumbai, she reflects, “It’s fascinating how Mumbai works in terms of collaborations — there are so many people here with different ideas. Kerala has a different tempo; it’s more like jazz, while Mumbai feels like hip-hop on steroids. You have to find your own rhythm here instead of simply following someone else’s pace. It’s important to pause and choose what truly adds value to your life, rather than what’s popular.”
Parvathy Thiruvothu celebrates Vishu in her Mumbai home
‘Over the years, your understanding of courage evolves’Having completed 20 years in cinema with a strong body of work, primarily in Malayalam and Tamil films, Parvathy is now open to exploring opportunities in Hindi cinema. “I started at 17. I was fearless and bold. But over the years, your understanding of courage evolves. There’s wisdom that comes with knowing how harsh this industry can be. It’s an ongoing journey, and I’m proud of the craft I’ve built and the friendships I’ve nurtured – few, but meaningful. Last year, as I was approaching 20 years in cinema, I felt old. But earlier this year, I felt like an infant again. You can start afresh at any stage in life.”
