In an exclusive interview with Timeline, actor Tanvi Ram delved into her thoughts on the recent Malayalam film Ponman and how it has reshaped her views on societal issues, particularly the deep-rooted practice of dowry.

The actor, who is known for her nuanced performances in Ambili and 2018, revealed that she initially viewed dowry as a trivial matter and questioned why women, in particular, couldn’t simply walk away from oppressive relationships or situations.

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However, Ponman — a powerful film that addresses societal pressure and the struggles women face on account of dowry — gave her a deeper understanding of the complexities of these issues.

Tanvi talked about this during the promotional interview for her upcoming film Abhilaasham, which is set to release on March 29, 2025.

“I used to wonder why women couldn’t just walk away from situations like that, or even worse, why they would consider suicide, if they have an option to walk away. But after watching Ponman, I realised the societal pressure, the expectations placed on women, and the helplessness they feel — it hit me hard. I never realised the depth of the issue until I saw it portrayed so poignantly on screen.”

Tanvi stated that she had never seen dowry pressures, either in Bangalore, where she grew up, or in Kannur, where she spent much of her childhood.

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Tanvi is all set to star in her next project, Abhilaasham, which is scheduled for release on March 29. Directed by Shamzu Zayba, Abhilaasham is a Malayalam romantic movie.

In this film, Tanvi stars alongside Saiju Kurup and it is written by Jenith Kachappilly. The film is produced by Ann Sariga Antony and Shankar Das under the banner of Second Show Productions.

Cinematography is handled by Sajin Kaakku. The music of Abhilaasham is crafted by Sreehari K Nair, with lyrics by Sharafu and Suhail Koya.