Amid the ongoing debate over the portrayal of women in films sparked by the ‘Peddi’ controversy, veteran actor Madhoo has candidly admitted that the 1991 film ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ glorified eve-teasing. He even admitted that the same content, if released today, would be socially and legally unacceptable.
Madhoo reflects on rape scenes and the changing sensibilities of the audience
Speaking to IANS, Madhoo observed how the norms of cinema have changed. He said, “Once upon a time, rape scenes were very easily tolerated, which is why they were included in almost every film. No questions were raised about them. In fact, Ranjit sir was referred to as a ‘rape specialist’.” Such scenes would be depicted with tugs, fights and attacks. I was also involved in such a scene.“He highlighted the contrast with today’s landscape. The actor added that “today, rape scenes are rarely shown in films. Even when they are depicted, they are presented very subtly.”In the same interview, the actor was just as candid about his superhit, admitting that the film’s depiction of bullying as a courtship would not survive today’s scrutiny. He shared, “In ‘Phool Aur Kaante’, the first two songs are just the eve teasing. The boys are chasing and hissing in a college campus, and I’m seeing it as romance, and we all saw it as romance. I’m falling in love with the boy who’s teasing and chasing me.” Today, you will call it and put him behind bars. If a boy were to go and do all this in college and on campus today, it wouldn’t be tolerated.”
Madhoo says that cinema reflects society
Madhoo made a clear distinction between what was celebrated then and what is expected now. He stated: “That’s why you can’t even show that in a movie today, if you show that in a movie and we start to admire it, maybe you’re giving young people subtle permission to do that. But, you can’t do this, this is not romance, this is not love, this is teasing, this is bullying. But it’s become the same thing and I’ve been the biggest thing. Jo. But that wasn’t trolled, it was just a big hit.”He concluded with a broader observation about the relationship between cinema and society, “So what I’m trying to say is that our cinema reflects our society. As society changes, as the conversation changes, the film has to reflect that.”
The ‘Peddi’ controversy
The people responsible for ‘Peddi’, the protagonist Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoorrecently faced widespread trolling which many viewers perceive as objectification of Janhvi Kapoor’s character. The backlash has sparked a wider conversation about how Indian cinema has historically treated women.The film opened in theaters on June 4, 2026.
