Veteran actress Madhoo has opened up about how Indian cinema’s portrayal of women has changed over the decades, admitting that her 1991 blockbuster Phool Aur Kaante glorified eve teasing in ways that would not be accepted today. Her comments come amid an ongoing debate around the objectification of women in films, sparked after the makers of Peddi faced criticism for their portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor in the Ram Charan starrer.

Amid Peddi controversy, Madhoo reflects how her film Phool Aur Kaante passed off harassment as romance: "We all looked at it as romance"

Amid Peddi controversy, Madhoo reflects how her film Phool Aur Kaante passed off harassment as romance: “We all looked at it as romance”

Cinema must reflect a changing society

Speaking to IANS, Madhoo was asked whether objectification of women in films has increased compared to the 1980s and 1990s. She said cinema has to evolve along with the changing mindset of audiences, adding that society’s shifts must be mirrored on screen.

Recalling how such scenes were once treated, she said, “Back in the day, rape scenes were very easily accepted, 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 pulling, struggling, and assault. I, too, was involved in one such scene.” She added, “Today, rape scenes are rarely shown in films. Even when they are depicted, they are presented very subtly.”

Looking back at Phool Aur Kaante

Turning to her own film, Madhoo explained that in Phool Aur Kaante, her character falls for a man who eve teases her, mistaking the harassment for romance, and said that if something similar happened today, the boy would end up behind bars.

She told IANS, “In Phool Aur Kaante, the first two songs are only eve-teasing. The boys are chasing on a college campus and whistling, and I am looking at it as romance, and we all looked at it as romance. I fall in love with the boy who is teasing me and harassing me. Today, you will call that and put him behind bars. If a boy chased you today in college and campus and did all this, it would not be accepted.”

She pointed out that unlike the backlash faced by recent films, Phool Aur Kaante was never called out for glorifying eve teasing and instead became one of the biggest hits of its time. “Therefore, today, you can’t even show that in a movie, because if you show that in a movie and we start admiring it as an audience, then it may give subtle permission to young men that they can do this. But you cannot do this, this is not romance, this is not love, this is eve-teasing, this is harassment,” she said.

She concluded, “So, what I am trying to say is our cinema reflects our society. As the society changes, as the conversation changes, the movie has to reflect that.”

Madhoo’s remarks underline how changing social attitudes have reshaped cinema, stressing that films must evolve with the times and portray relationships more responsibly.

Also Read: Janhvi Kapoor charged Rs. 8 crores to act with Ram Charan in Peddi