Jyothika on Sexism: More Than Just Suriya’s Wife

With a career spanning over two decades across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema, Jyothika has carved a niche for herself in the film industry. She made her Bollywood debut in Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998) but found immense success in South Indian films with iconic performances in Kushi, Chandramukhi, Mozhi, and more. Any rational observer would recognize her as a formidable actress in her own right. However, societal biases often reduce her identity to being “Suriya’s wife,” limiting the recognition she deserves.

Recently, Jyothika addressed this deep-seated sexism in the industry. After marrying Tamil superstar Suriya in 2006, she took a brief hiatus from films, only to make a powerful comeback in 2015. Despite re-establishing herself as a leading actress, the tag of “Suriya’s wife” continues to overshadow her independent success. While she shares a happy marriage, she aspires to be acknowledged for her own accomplishments rather than being viewed through the lens of her husband’s fame.

Even her financial milestones—such as purchasing a luxury car—are often attributed to Suriya, despite being a product of her own hard-earned success. This constant undermining of a woman’s achievements is a reflection of the ingrained gender bias in society. Jyothika’s candid remarks highlight the struggles many women face in breaking free from patriarchal narratives. One can only hope for a shift in perspective, where talent and hard work are recognized without being weighed down by gender-based stereotypes.