Anupama Parameswaran on 'narcissistic abuse': "I started to shrink," what she revealed about 2 years of emotional and physical distress

Highlights:

Indian actor Anupama Parameswaran has spoken publicly about what she describes as two years of “narcissistic abuse,” weeks after a cryptic social media post sparked widespread speculation about the end of her relationship with actor Dhruv Vikram.

Parameswaran, known for films including Premam, Karthikeya 2 and Tillu Square, discussed the experience in an interview with Dhanya Varma. Although she did not identify the person involved, she described the relationship as a period of significant physical and emotional distress.

Her comments have attracted attention beyond Indian cinema because they touch on a subject increasingly discussed in the United States and elsewhere: how emotionally abusive relationship patterns can be difficult to recognize, particularly while someone is still experiencing them.

Anupama Parameswaran says she ‘shrank’ during the relationship

Parameswaran said the social media post that initially drew attention was not an impulsive message.

“There are two years of pain, physical and emotional destruction, behind that one post,” she said.

The actor had written on Instagram: “You have to let go of the dead end to finally find your peace.”

She explained that she waited until she felt ready to speak publicly rather than posting immediately after the relationship ended.

“I did not want to post some random picture. I wanted to post something when I was ready, when I actually healed. There was a journey of a girl who identified something really big about herself and life and who took her time to heal and voice something so important.”

Parameswaran said the experience affected her physically as well as emotionally. Rather than feeling that she was developing as a person, she said she felt herself becoming smaller.

“I started to shrink,” she said, describing significant weight loss and a persistent sense of fear during the relationship.

She also said she had previously struggled to understand the concept of narcissistic abuse herself. She recalled watching actress Madonna Sebastian discuss the subject online and experiencing a strong physical reaction.

“I have gone through narcissistic abuse for two years,” Parameswaran said.

She believes there are people who may be experiencing similar behavior without realizing what is happening. That group, she said, is the one she most wants to reach.

“The next category is those who I want to talk to, those who have been there and haven’t identified it yet. That is the most dangerous category,” she said.

She describes a cycle of love, conflict and apologies

While Parameswaran did not name her former partner, she used characters from the Tamil film Anniyan to explain the changing behavior she says she experienced.

“Many people are not aware of narcissistic abuse. One day he will be Remo. We will be showered with love and care and will possibly feel like the luckiest person alive. However, the next day he will be Anniyan. It will be the most brutal side, and he will not care a hoot about what is happening around him. The same person will play Ambi the next day, apologising to me for his mistakes and crying like a baby. He will promise to never repeat the mistakes, but then again the love cycle continues.”

Her description centers on a repeated cycle of affection, conflict, remorse and reconciliation.

Parameswaran also addressed the different reactions she received after her Instagram post. Some followers interpreted it as a message about healing, while others speculated about her personal life or criticized her without knowing the circumstances.

She said those reactions reinforced her belief that more awareness is needed around narcissistic abuse and unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Her later Instagram message focused on independence and recovery. She wrote about choosing “my voice” and “my life,” while thanking people who supported her during what she described as a difficult period.

What about Dhruv Vikram? Here’s what is actually confirmed

The timing of Parameswaran’s revelations has inevitably revived interest in her reported relationship with Dhruv Vikram, her co-star in the 2025 Tamil film Bison Kaalamaadan.

Dating rumors surrounding the two began circulating in early 2025 while they were working on the film. Speculation intensified after an unverified photograph purportedly showing the pair kissing circulated online.

Their public interactions also fueled the rumors. At an awards event, Parameswaran appeared emotional when Vikram wished her on her birthday and referred to him as her “2 AM call.” Vikram later shared a photo with her from another awards event, which she reposted with a heart.

However, neither actor has publicly confirmed that they were in a relationship.

Likewise, Parameswaran has not named Dhruv Vikram as the person she was referring to in her comments about narcissistic abuse.

That distinction is important. While social media speculation has connected her recent posts to Vikram, there is no public confirmation from Parameswaran that her account of the relationship concerns him.

For now, the actor's comments stand on their own: a personal account of an experience she says left her physically and emotionally affected, followed by a period of healing and a decision to speak about it publicly.

As interest in Indian cinema continues to grow among international audiences, Parameswaran's candid discussion has also brought renewed attention to the often misunderstood subject of narcissistic abuse, emotional manipulation and recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns.