It was on 14 April, Prashant Neel’s magnum opus KGF 2 released worldwide in theatres. My friend and I had been waiting for the release of this movie for a year. As we all know, there is a reason for this waiting, Rocky Bhai; I believe that the name is enough.
A mass hero, a great son who said the unforgettable dialogue “Prabhanjathil ammayekkal valiya porali mattarum illa (There is no greater warrior in the universe than the mother)”.
Apart from this dialogue, there were a number of impactful dialogues in KGF Chapter 1. I think many dialogues are by-heart to me. Keeping all those dialogues and emotional scenes in mind from Chapter 1, we went to watch Chapter 2 on the first day itself.
14 April was a Maundy Thursday. Coming from a Christian religious background, I was supposed to be mournful on that day because the next day was considered to be the crucifixion of Jesus.
Still, I went to watch the movie because I also believe that religion is something personal, and I have the full constitutional right to decide if I need to be mournful or go and watch a movie.
We both reached the theatre. Soon the movie started screening. There was no pin drop silence as Rocky was making his entry. The coolest entry got tremendous applause from fans. Everything seemed to be fine at the beginning, but Rocky’s dialogues toward Reena (Rocky’s lover) were disturbing to us.
Reena to Rocky: “They have forcefully brought me here. Why have you brought me here?”
Rocky: “For keepsake. You are my entertainment, my dear.”
When this was questioned by another character Kamal, Rocky killed him with his gun and took her all the way to KGF.
Celebration Of Masculinity
It is clear from Reena’s body language that she doesn’t want to go with the noted criminal Rocky. In fact, Reena looks so helpless and weak. If a woman shows her disapproval to love someone and still the man forces her to come with him, that is not love; it’s a criminal act.
This act is one of the examples to show the mounting criminality against women. This particular scene from KGF 2 allows the public to witness the subordinate role of the female lead.
Even though Rocky loves Reena, this is not the perfect way to get her love back. Is it the right way to pour love toward somebody you love? This is an example of toxic masculinity. How can a man intentionally force a woman to come with him by saying some blundering masculine dialogues?
While these scenes were going on, everyone in the theatre was clapping loudly. My friend and I were looking at each other with disappointment. We did not clap during those scenes. If we clapped at those scenes, we would be promoting such rude behaviour in a person.
So the hero says to the heroine, “You are my entertainment”. How can we normalise this dialogue? Is a woman meant for someone’s entertainment? I didn’t understand the usage of that particular sentence. However, I felt disturbed.
Either Entertainment Or Worship
Another dialogue by Rocky was, “Even criminals should have some ethics. Women and children shouldn’t be harmed. Never offend an infuriated woman. One should ornate her and worship her.”
The protagonist can tell a woman that “you are my entertainment”, and at the same time, he can say these extraordinarily “great words”. Women do not want to be treated like goddesses; we are humans. At least these men should know what the meaning of consent is.
What is the purpose of life if a person does not know how to distinguish between love and toxic, abusive language?
In Malayalam, we say “Kalippanum Kandhariyum”, where the man will be superior, gets angry at his girl to show his dominance over her, makes furious, insulting comments to her, and sometimes beats her up.
However, Kandhari sees all these as a sign of love, and she believes that a true lover would do all these toxic things to prove his love to his girlfriend. In Reena and Rocky, I have seen Kalippan Kandhari type affection, which is unacceptable to me.
Women should be able to say “yes” or “no” when it comes to the important decisions in their lives.
At the same time, from the movie, it is clear that Rocky is not a hero but a selfish minded person who is always ready to fulfil the promise that he has given to his mother. He never minds the bloodshed. Somehow he wants to make his mother’s soul happy.
So eventually, he became a criminally minded man. In such a context, can I expect political correctness? Anyhow, misogynistic dialogues can not be tolerated at any cost in this decade.
Claps For Misogyny
What is more dangerous than normalising these types of anti-women dialogues? The audience was laughing and appreciating these “entertainment purpose” dialogues. Would they treat their girlfriends or wife the way Rocky did? Would they ask for consent?
Mass hero type movies suppress the role of women by seeing them as subordinates to male protagonists. When do mass movies teach the public that women are not meant for entertainment purposes?
Next time, if you laugh or clap at any of the misogynistic dialogue of your favourite hero, ask your conscience if you are a narcissist or not.