Slap happy cinema

It’s been two days since the Twitterati and other Internet users outraged over Kabir Singh director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s comments about how slapping each other is okay in the name of love. The filmmaker’s ludicrous statements in which he normalised violence and aggression has riled a lot of people, who are rightly calling out the Arjun Reddy director for his obnoxious opinions.

Whatever the provocation, there is no justification for violence. But that has not stopped our film industry from showcasing such acts as a measure of love.

Vanga’s comments have opened up a necessary conversation. It doesn’t matter which gender you belong to, if you’re going to romanticise violence and aggression, then please seek help. A man slapping a woman cannot be negated with a ‘women slap men too’ response, like many have, quoting films such as Raanjhanaa and 3 that have shown the actresses slapping the actors. Dhanush actually keeps track of Sonam Kapoor’s slaps in Raanjhanaa and romanticises them! It’s necessary to see the problem, not create a gender war. While there have been intense discussions online, people have started sharing videos of other movies in the past that have shown lovers slapping each other to call them out as well. Here are some of those films that have romanticised violence…

1. Awaara: Twitter use Angoor Stark shared a clip from this film where ‘showman’ Raj Kapoor slaps Nargis for calling him ‘junglee’, who then goes down on her knees and asks him to slap her more if he wants to! Kangana Ranaut’s sister Rangoli too shared this video, stating that Bollywood unnecessarily glorified Raj Kapoor.

2. Italian film Guappi: shows Fabio Testi repeatedly slapping his lover, who then smiles at him and the two break into laughter. If this isn’t nonsensical love, then what is?

3. Rangasthalam and Dookudu: While actress Samantha Akkineni tweeted her displeasure about Vanga’s comments, she herself has starred in movies where she’s been slapped by the lead actors, namely Ram Charan and Mahesh Babu in these films respectively. It’s a pity that leading actors cannot take a stand and refuse to do such scenes.

4. Hulchul: Kareena Kapoor gets slapped in public by Akshaye Khanna for saying that she loves him a lot. She later dates him and dances in the hills with him.

5. Jagadeka Veerudu: Sridevi gushes over Chiranjeevi’s slap and later even breaks into a song that describes the ‘sweet’ slap!

6. Kaatru Veliyidai: While Karthi doesn’t slap Aditi Rao Hydari in this Mani Ratnam movie, he pushes her around, humiliates her and indulges in verbal abuse. His acts are forgiven by many other characters in the film, who say that his aggression is justified as he belongs to the air force. People have even called his character a narcissist abuser with a superiority complex.