It is sad how Bollywood makes attempts to make its audience laugh at scenes that are highly problematic. Without realizing its powerful influence, it is sad how Bollywood played a key role in normalizing the sexist, regressive and patriarchal behaviours, actions and words. Like us, you may have laughed out loud at some of those scenes but in hindsight, you would have realized how regressive and problematic behaviours need to be thrown out of our behaviours and our lives:
Leaving out our regressive songs from the list, here are 9 problematic Scenes from Bollywood that we laughed at but we shouldn’t have!
1. Sexist Chatur’s speech from the movie: 3 Idiots
How the makers normalised laughing at the problematic rape jokes and sexualisation of breasts is quite disgusting! It is sad how many years later, it is still listed as a “funny scene”.
2. Misogynistic Rajjo’s speech from the movie: Pyaar Ka Punchnama
How could one forget the viral speech from the movie Pyaar Ka Punchnama? While this scene may have left many men and some women guffawing, in reality, it is nothing more than a misogynistic rant. The scene that among other things, talks about ‘shutting women up’ and mocking all women, is not exactly hilarious.
“You cannot discuss anything with a woman…Because they call it a discussion…But any discussion with a woman is an argument…Aur argument mein toh tu boss unn se jeet hi nahi sakta…Because hum aadmiyon ki ek basic need hoti hai…To make sense in an argument…Ladkiyon ko koi farak nahi padta…Sense jaisi bekaar si cheez ki wajah se woh…Argument kaise haar jaye!”
3. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: Raj and Simran bumping in the train
Sadly, since time immemorial, Bollywood has labeled problematic eve-teasing as a romantic comedy. And, DDLJ is the prime example of that. Accidentally getting stuck in a train compartment with a girl is NOT an excuse to ignore her personal space or make her uncomfortable! How could a man forcing himself on a woman’s lap could be funny at all? Who will tell Bollywood that lack of consent isn’t funny!
And the reason, why we need to call this behaviour out is because, even in 2019, YRF thought lack of consent is funny.
4. Sanjay Dutt recounts his sexual partners in the movie Sanju
Our Bollywood has been a promoter of regressive behaviour for a very long time. And, it still persists. The scene from the movie Sanju is a prime example. Boasting about the number of sexual partners is neither a matter of pride, nor its funny! But, we wonder why was this even needed in the film? And, when the question is about the number of women you’ve slept with, why do you need to specify that prostitutes should be kept separate? Why? Are prostitutes not women?
5. Badrinath’s Molestation Scene in Badrinath Ki Dulhania
How could molestation be funny? Dear Bollywood, molestation and rape isn’t funny, no matter the gender of the person being attacked.
6. “6 din, ladki in” Aman’s dating advice from Kal Ho Naa Ho
How makers tend to normalize the glorified objectification of women is quite shameful. The statement reduces women to objects that need to be conquered. And, what is even sadder is that the trend of showing objectification of women as comedy isn’t ending any time soon.
7. Forcible kissing scene from Kambakkht Ishq and Housefull 4
These two are just a few examples of many movies where Bollywood normalizes a hero forcibly kissing a woman in name of comedy or love!
8. Neha wrongly accusing Dharamputra of rape from Housefull 4
At a time when the whole world is redefined by movements like #MeToo, Bollywood thought that a woman wrongly accusing a man of rape is comedy! Seriously?
9. Raanjhana: Turning stalking and rejection into a comical gag
Dear Bollywood, stalking is neither funny nor romantic. It is quite disgusting how movies like Raanjhana tend to showcase stalking as “harmless” by turning it into a joke.
It is high time Bollywood should stop normalizing problematic behaviour. Stop normalizing problematic behaviours like fat-shaming, colour-shaming, sexism, misogynistic or patriarchy in name of comedy. The world is changing, and so is the time for Bollywood to change; to be better!
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