Actress Jyotika, best known for her work in Tamil and Hindi films, has landed in controversy after an old video resurfaced online.
Last year, while speaking at the Shaitaan event, Jyotika said, “I have acted with almost all the leading actors in South India. But women don’t get much importance there, not even on posters. People like Mammootty and Ajay Devgn give women prominence."
Her remarks have sparked backlash on social media, with many netizens accusing her of unfairly generalizing the South Indian film industry.
Several users shared old Tamil film posters featuring Jyotika in leading positions, including Chandramukhi, arguing that her career itself disproves her claim.
One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Acted in Kollywood, made her salary, married Suriya, and lives peacefully in the South where fans still adore them. Nothing wrong in praising Ajay Devgn or Mammootty, but don’t insult the industry that made you who you are.”
Another added: “It’s fine to appreciate colleagues, but not at the expense of the cinema that gave you recognition and success.”
Jyotika, who has acted in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada films, was most recently seen in Netflix’s Dabba Cartel alongside Shabana Azmi, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, and Anjali Anand.
Earlier, she appeared in Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth and the Ajay Devgn–R. Madhavan thriller Shaitaan.
The resurfaced video has reignited debate over gender representation in South Indian cinema, even as Jyotika remains one of the most respected actresses from the region.
