From Baaghi 4 To Animal, Return Of The Angry Man On Bollywood Film Posters Is Proof Society Is Taking An Ugly U-Turn!
It's high time we stop glorifying male violence!
Trigger Warning: Blood, Violence
In recent years, Bollywood films have sparked a heated debate about the way they portray violence or “male dominance” on the screen. This topic gained a lot of attention with Shahid Kapoor’s film Kabir Singh, where the main character’s aggressive behaviour and toxic masculinity were not just shown but almost celebrated. The conversation became even more intense with the release of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal which continued this trend of glorifying violent male characters and normalising treating women terribly.
While these films have been successful at the box office, they have faced backlash for treating women as mere objects of desire and abusing women in the name of “Everything is fair in love and war.” Whereas, it’s not! Aren’t we supposed to move forward and empower women? However, as sad and frustrating as it is we are moving backwards and keep showcasing women as mere objects on screen. On top of that, men enjoy these characters and it surely influences the way the Indian audience thinks. With the release of Tiger Shroff’s Baaghi 4 poster, the audience is reminded of Animal. One user wrote how everyone wants to be Animal which is a very sad and disturbing reality. After its release, we are wondering why Bollywood is glorifying male violence and hero-worshipping. It also seems repetitive as if there’s no place for creativity in the industry. From Siddhant Chaturvedi in Yudhra to Arjun Kapoor in Singham Again it often showcases a similar type of character: a man with a beard, holding a cigarette or a beer, his face and body covered in blood, and a wicked smile.
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Not only does it glorify violence it also sends a troubling message that aggression and brutality are normal ways to deal with problems. It also feeds the idea of how men are supposed to be. Is it all about showing violence? These films often paint a picture of men as tough and aggressive, but this isn’t the only way to be a man. Where are the kind, respectful, and understanding men? Only in the books? All we know is that men can show their emotions and still be strong without resorting to violence or harmful behaviour. Instead of promoting healthy relationships and how to solve conflicts peacefully, these films often glorify toxic traits and a dangerous mindset.
While Bollywood has a rich history of storytelling, the trend of normalising violence raises questions about the kind of messages we are sending to society. Given this reality, the Indian film industry needs to take a step back and reflect on its influence and responsibility. Filmmakers should look beyond just making money and consider the dangerous norm of promoting toxic masculinity, violence and male worshipping.
First Published: November 18, 2024 6:46 PM
