R Madhavan defends Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’s portrayal of gender roles and stereotypes, says “Men and women are flawed”

R Madhavan, the lead actor in the 2001 film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, has responded to criticism regarding the movie’s portrayal of gender roles and stereotypes. The film, which also starred Dia Mirza, has been accused of perpetuating patriarchal norms, with Madhavan’s character being portrayed as the dominant, macho man and Mirza’s character as the delicate and vulnerable woman who needs to be protected and cared for.

In a recent interview with The New Indian, Madhavan defended the film, saying that he and director Gautham Vasudev Menon followed their instincts and produced the Tamil film Minnale, which was subsequently adapted into the Hindi movie RHTDM. He added that despite the criticism, the film was loved by the audience and is still talked about today.

Madhavan also spoke about the double standards in the film industry, particularly regarding his character’s depiction as a submissive husband in the Tanu Weds Manu series. He raised concerns about the acceptance of weight-related jokes in the movie while criticizing those who take issue with the gender politics portrayed in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. He stated that men and women are flawed in what they do and that hypersensitivity is largely a Western concept that tries to make everything “so perfect.”

The portrayal of gender roles in Indian cinema has been a subject of debate and discussion for many years. While some argue that films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein perpetuate outdated and harmful stereotypes, others defend them as reflective of the culture and society of the time. Madhavan’s comments reflect the ongoing conversation surrounding the depiction of gender roles in Indian cinema and the need to continue to examine and question these representations.