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  More than a statement

More than a statement

Published : Jun 22, 2016, 10:49 pm IST
Updated : Jun 22, 2016, 10:49 pm IST

Bollywood’s enfant terrible Salman Khan is hitting the headlines once again.

Salman Khan
 Salman Khan

Bollywood’s enfant terrible Salman Khan is hitting the headlines once again. Reportedly, during the press conference of his forthcoming film Sultan, the actor, while describing the gruelling shoot for the film where he plays the role of a wrestler, compared the experience to that of a “raped woman”. Talking about his exhausting role in the film, Salman during an interview allegedly said, “While shooting, during those six hours, there’d be so much of lifting and thrusting on the ground involved. That was tough for me because if I was lifting, I’d have to lift the same 120-kilo guy, 10 times for five different angles. And likewise, get thrown that many times on the ground. This act is not repeated that many times in the real fights in the ring. When I used to walk out of the ring after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn’t walk straight. I would eat and then head right back to training. That couldn’t stop.” The comment didn’t go down well with social media fans and social activists alike who are criticising the actor for an inappropriate choice of analogy. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has in fact demanded an apology within seven days, failing which, the organisation said, he would be summoned for an explanation.

Calling the actor’s mindset ‘misogynistic’, Dr Ranjana Kumari, director of Centre for Social Research remarks, “It is a totally irresponsible, insensitive and callous remark. In his pervious films too, he has been seen making jokes about a woman’s body. This is not a matter of such light and frivolous comments that speak volumes about his mindset, which seems very misogynistic and sexist. This is violating the law of the land, and according to current sexual assault laws, such statements are considered illegal. He has hurt the sentiments of the women of this country and he should apologise. Being such a big celebrity followed by countless young men and women, one should be aware of what one is speaking in the public domain and this kind of statement coming from Salman is totally unacceptable.”

Women’s rights activist and secretary of the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) Kavita Krishnan feels that the debate should revolve around the systematic ideological misogyny prevalent in society, and not one particular actor. She elaborates, “Of course, his statement trivialises rape but the debate should not be about Salman Khan alone. The fact is that he has made this kind of statement precisely because it is common to make such jokes and rape analogies are extremely common in India and all over the world. Our colleagues do it, our classmates do it we need to resolve to speak out whether it happens in films like 3 Idiots, in colleges and workplaces, if a stand-up comedian cracks them or a celebrity like Salman Khan. Haven’t many of us smirked when our colleagues or batchmates mentioned being ‘raped’ in an interview or a cricket team being ‘raped’ in a game Why have we never stood up against such comments There was never this kind of a backlash, for instance, when a balatkar (rape) joke was cracked in 3 Idiots. It should not be against just one Salman Khan doing it because it is easy to say that he is always putting his foot in his mouth — that way the debate would just revolve around him! One should look at a broader perspective instead.”

Author and member of CBFC Koral Dasgupta feels that an actor’s carelessness should not be blown up as it assumes more visibility. She puts forth, “I’m sure Salman Khan didn’t mean for the statement to sound the way it does. Yet, the word being uttered so casually reflects how much the crime has become an accepted part of our daily life. Rape Yes, it happened yesterday and the day before...in Delhi and in Bengal! I think Salman Khan’s carelessness should not be trolled. That way it assumes more visibility. He inspires many for myriad reasons. Let this controversy not inspire the miscreants.”