Amid Peddi controversy, Madhu remembers when molestation was seen as romance in films
Amid the ongoing Pedi controversy over Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal, actor Madhu explains how Phool Aur Kaante glorified molestation and why such portrayals would be criticized today.
The debate over the portrayal of women in films has intensified after the backlash against the Ram Charan starrer. pediActor Madhu has emphasized on how audience perceptions have changed over the years.
Controversy erupted after the makers of pedi Janhvi Kapoor’s character Achiamma faced criticism for the way it was presented, with many social media users accusing the film of objectifying women.
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talking to IANS Amid the ongoing discussion, Madhu pointed towards his 1991 blockbuster film flowers and thorns As an example of how behavior that was once romanticized on screen would be considered unacceptable today. The actor said that the film openly glorified molestation, yet faced no public criticism at the time and became one of the biggest hits of the decade.
Why does Madhu believe that cinema has changed?
Asked whether women in films today are more objectified than they were in the 1980s and 1990s, Madhu said cinema evolves along with the changing expectations of society and the audience.
Recalling older filmmaking trends, he said that scenes depicting sexual violence were once common and widely accepted in mainstream cinema. According to him, such portrayals rarely attracted scrutiny, whereas today filmmakers approach the subject with more sensitivity and restraint.
What did Madhu say about the flower and the thorn?
Using her own film as an example, Madhu explained that the first few songs flowers and thorns Revolved around a young man stalking and flirting with a woman on a college campus, this behavior was portrayed as romantic.
“In flowers and thornsThe first two songs are just teases. Boys on college campuses are stalking and whistling, and I’m seeing it as romance, and we’re all seeing it as romance. I fall in love with a boy who teases and annoys me. Today you will call him and put him behind bars. “If a boy followed you around college and campus today and did all this, it would not be accepted,” he said.
She said that audiences at the time viewed such actions as expressions of love and her character eventually falls in love with the man pursuing her. However, he stressed that the same behavior would now be recognized as harassment rather than romance.
How does society influence cinema?
Madhu argued that films often reflected prevailing social attitudes. She said that while audiences once accepted and even celebrated depictions of molestation, contemporary audiences are far more aware of issues related to consent and harassment.
The actor said filmmakers can no longer portray such behavior thoughtlessly as it risks sending the wrong message to young audiences. Reflecting on the changing scenario, Madhu said that the evolution of cinema is ultimately linked to the evolution of society, with films adopting changing conversations and cultural values.
about pedi controversy
Controversy regarding Janhvi Kapoor’s character Achiamma pedi This criticism is based on the fact that the film objectifies the lead female character through its writing, camera work, and romantic scenes. Many viewers accused the producers of reducing the character to a mere romantic interest rather than giving her meaningful agency in the story. Specific scenes and camera angles focusing on her body were also criticized as pandering to the male gaze.