It’s really disappointing how Bollywood movies sometimes showcase toxic masculinity just to rake in money. This portrayal often sends the wrong message, making people think such behavior is okay. What’s even sadder is that even some great actors and filmmakers go along with it, all for the sake of box-office success. It’s like they’re okay with glorifying actions that are harmful and wrong. This kind of portrayal doesn’t just twist the idea of what it means to be a man, but it also influences people, especially the younger audience, into thinking that this behavior is acceptable.
And, as Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga explores the theme of toxic masculinity once again after Kabir Singh with Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, here are 8 Bollywood movies that glorified toxic masculinity in the past.
Kabir Singh
The titular character, Kabir Singh, exhibited traits of extreme aggression, dominance, and possessiveness in his relationships. His actions romanticized controlling behavior and aggressive tendencies as a way to express love, setting a troubling example of toxic masculinity.
KGF
The protagonist in KGF, Rocky, portrayed a stereotypical hyper-masculine persona, glorifying violence, dominance, and a lack of emotional depth. His character perpetuated the belief that strength and power define masculinity, overshadowing healthier traits.
Pyar Ka Punchnama
The male characters in this movie showcased misogynistic views, portraying women as manipulative and burdensome. Their dialogues and actions belittled and objectified women, reinforcing toxic beliefs about relationships and gender roles.
Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2
Similarly to its predecessor, the male characters in this sequel exhibit similar patterns of disrespect and contempt towards women, emphasizing possessiveness, control, and manipulation in relationships as acceptable behaviors.
Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
The film depicts a portrayal of a toxic friendship, where the character of Sonu consistently undermines and controls his friend’s relationships. The narrative glorifies possessive behavior as a way of protecting friendship, blurring lines between care and toxic interference.
Dabangg series
The character of Chulbul Pandey epitomizes a macho, fearless cop with an aggressive and dominant personality. His actions often include violence and a disregard for the law, portraying an exaggerated sense of masculinity through forceful behavior.
Tere Naam
The protagonist’s possessive and obsessive behavior towards his love interest was depicted as a romantic pursuit rather than recognizing it as toxic. The glorification of his extreme actions showcased an unhealthy depiction of love and masculinity.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
The character of Ayan displayed a persistent pursuit of love despite facing rejection, promoting the idea that relentless pursuit is a testament to love. His inability to accept boundaries and constant pursuit despite clear refusals conveyed a problematic portrayal of masculinity and relationships.
It’s high time Bollywood understands its importance in driving social change and stops celebrating toxic characters as heroes. What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.