Jyotika opens up on casual sexism, identity struggles, and her big Bollywood comeback

Jyotika, the popular South actress, recently made her return to Bollywood with 'Srikanth' in 2024. She is next starring in 'Dabba Cartel', a series about five ordinary women who unexpectedly get involved in a high-stakes drug cartel. Jyotika plays a housewife married to a business tycoon, a woman who puts her successful career on hold for her family—mirroring her real-life decision to take a break from films after marrying Suriya in 2006. Beyond its thrilling narrative, 'Dabba Cartel' explores themes of casual sexism, something Jyotika has personally faced in her career. In a conversation with News18 Showsha, she shared how, despite decades in the industry, she continues to experience discrimination, especially as actor Suriya’s wife. “It happens all the time, even during interviews,” she said. She pointed out the subtle bias in everyday situations, like how her achievements are often overlooked while Suriya’s appreciation for her is praised. “Even when I buy a car, someone else is expected to check its features,” she added.
This bias, she admitted, sometimes makes her question her own identity. “There comes a point where you start wondering who you are beyond these labels. That search pushes women to make independent choices, which is how I shaped my career,” she explained. Jyotika and Suriya first met on the sets of Poovellam Kettuppar (1999) and, after years of dating, got married. Post-pandemic, they moved back to Mumbai to support her career revival and provide a balanced lifestyle for their children.
Speaking about her bond with Suriya, Jyotika previously shared, “He was the first person I met in the industry, and we did our first film together. Our friendship has stood the test of time, and that’s what keeps us strong.” 'Dabba Cartel', also starring Shabana Azmi, Nimisha Sajayan, Sai Tamhankar, Shalini Pandey, and Anjali Anand, is set to premiere on Netflix on February 28.