Malayali women on social media are posting pictures of themselves showing off their legs, with the hashtag #WomenHaveLegs. Actresses including Rima Kallingal, Anarkali Marikar, Parvathy Thiruvoth and Ahaana Krishna have also come out in support of the campaign that was triggered after actress Anaswara Rajan was trolled on social media for some of her recent pics from a photo-shoot.
The Thanneer Mathan Dinangal actress who turned 18 recently, posted a picture in an off-the-shoulder top and shorts on her social media handle. The picture was well-received by friends and fans, but it also attracted lewd comments, mostly from men. The actress was shamed for posing in shorts that was ‘inappropriate’ for her age, or 'did not suit her culture'.
Anaswara slammed trolls with an epic comeback, and she captioned her next photograph: “Don't worry about what I'm doing. Worry about why you're worried about what I'm doing.”
This has triggered a social media movement, with women posing in shorts, dresses or swimwear, in solidarity with the young actress. Malayali women are coming out to make their stand clear about moral policing, and asserting their right to wear the clothes of their choice. The discussions and memes on social media also point out how men do not face similar criticism for the clothes they wear or their show of skin.
Actress Rima Kallingal expressed her support by sharing a picture that has also caught the internet’s attention. “Surprise surprise!!! Women have legs #ladies #showthemhowitsdone,” she captioned a picture of herself in a swimsuit, and credited the photograph to husband and filmmaker Aashiq Abu.