I have often faced the difficult situation of men refusing to take rejection: Taapsee

If you thought a woman’s ‘no’ means an unsaid ‘yes’, this video by the digital channel Put Chutney puts to rest the stereotypical ideas from our movies that constantly stalking a woman leads to a ‘yes’.

The Yes No Song starring actress Taapsee Pannu is definitely not shying away from the topic, and is out and open about consent. Breaking silence over one of the most under-discussed issues in our country — consent — this video lays it bare that a woman’s heart is no trophy to be won by constant stalking.

This video comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has witnessed five women being killed in four months, by men, whose advances they had refused. It puts forth a powerful message through a catchy and jovial tune set to the tune of the popular Tamil song Comena Come, from Soodhu Kavvum!

Featuring her Pink co-actor Angad Bedi alongside her, the video urges women to not adhere to the ‘charade of womanhood’ that the society propagates.

“As a woman, I have often faced the difficult situation of men refusing to take rejection. Stalkers and over-enthusiastic fans seem to be a part and suspicious parcel of celebrity life. But, this problem isn’t exclusive to film stars. Almost every woman has been subject to importunate men refusing to take no for an answer. It can be as harmless as annoying spam on Facebook and escalate all the way to acid attacks or even murder. I believe we need to address this issue more often,” Taapsee commented about the song.

For Angad, the message that the video puts forth is universal. “While the video is aimed at a south Indian audience, I believe the message is universal. As people with a considerable following, it is essential for us to come out and speak about the right to consent,” he says. Also, the song is catchy!