Indian cinema has given the world some of the most legendary actresses. From Meena Kumari to Madhubala, they have etched their names in the hearts of their fans forever! But as we move on and appreciate the new generation of actresses, who are also doing a great job, we must not forget the pioneers of this industry. PK Rosy is one such actress who had to face hardships in the film industry as she was the first female lead in Malayam cinema. Google Doodle has honoured her on February 10 which marks her 120th birth anniversary, and what better day than today to know more about her?
Who Is PK Rosy?
PK Rosy’s name goes down in history as the first female actress in the Malayalam film industry. She was born on February 10, 1903, in the Trivandrum city of Kerala, currently known as Thiruvananthapuram. Before entering the film industry, she had to do odd jobs like grass cutting. Her family lived in poor conditions, leaving no option but to take up such jobs. PK Rosy belonged to the community of Dalit Christians, and because of her caste, her entry into the film industry was not an easy path.
PK Rosy’s works
Even though PK Rosy was active in the film industry for only two years, she definitely left her mark. As per reports, she started off by acting in folk plays in Kerala. Rosy ventured into the Malayalam film industry in 1928 with the film Vigathakumaran meaning The Lost Child. The film faced immense backlash because she essayed the role of an upper-caste girl. Reportedly, people were so angry at her portrayal of the character that they threw stones at her at the movie’s premiere.
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Not just this, people also set her house on fire because acting was not an acceptable profession for women in those times. The criticism from the audience was strong that the director and PK Rosy’s co-actor in Vigathakumaran, JC Daniel, lost all his money. PK Rosy passed away in 1988.
The orthodox mentality of the people got PK Rosy to stop acting altogether even before she could set her foothold in the industry. She will always be remembered for her efforts and hard work.