Toxic Bollywood Tropes: R Madhavan’s Defense of RHTDM Falls Short
Actor R Madhavan has spoken out in defense of his 2001 romantic drama Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein (RHTDM), a film that, despite its cult following, has faced renewed criticism for promoting toxic masculinity. As he promotes his upcoming film Aap Jaisa Koi alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh, Madhavan addressed the ongoing debate surrounding portrayals of flawed male characters in Hindi cinema.
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“Every Hindi Film Hero Has Slapped a Woman on Set or On Screen”
In a candid interview, R Madhavan reflected on how masculinity has long been portrayed in Indian films. Defending RHTDM against backlash, he remarked:
“Don’t take only Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein; take any film before that. Any hero who has slapped a woman on the set or in the story is toxic. Name one actor who has not done that or any actor who’s abused a woman in some way in a role.”
He further explained that such portrayals were not unique to RHTDM but were part of a broader trend across Hindi cinema for decades.
Context Matters, Says R Madhavan
Madhavan urged critics and viewers to consider the socio-cultural context in which older films were made, rather than evaluating them solely through modern sensibilities.
“If you look back at any Hindi film or film hero, you’ll find that he is completely flawed… That’s part of the way Indian culture has been represented.”
Citing the lack of mobile phones and limited social mobility in earlier times, he explained how storytelling often reflected the communication norms of that era—such as characters falling in love during fleeting public encounters.
The Blind Spot: Ignoring Modern-Day Examples
R Madhavan’s defense feels particularly out of touch when compared to recent films like Kabir Singh and Animal, which have reignited debates around toxic masculinity and misogyny in Bollywood. His failure to acknowledge that problematic portrayals continue today undermines his point about societal progress.
The Need for Accountability
Actors and filmmakers bear responsibility for the messages their work sends. Defending toxic behavior as “flawed characters” without accountability only perpetuates harmful norms. R Madhavan’s upcoming film Aap Jaisa Koi reportedly explores emotional abuse and masculinity more thoughtfully — a welcome step that shows the conversation is evolving, even if his past defense seems stuck in the past.
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