Actor-director Rahul Ravindran and singer Chinmayi Sripaada are currently battling a fresh wave of online trolling. This comes after Ravindran’s statement on gender atrocities, where he defended his film ‘The Girlfriend’s’ focus on women’s issues, sparking a heated debate.
Key Points
Rahul Ravindran faced trolling for not making films on men's atrocities.
He defended 'The Girlfriend's' focus, citing systemic suffering of women.
Rahul distinguished individual crimes from widespread gender oppression.
Chinmayi Sripaada also received backlash for defending her husband.
“The Girlfriend” Sparks Trolling Controversy
Rahul Ravindran was recently trolled for not making films about men facing atrocities instead of Rashmika Mandanna’s The Girlfriend.
In response, a portion of what Rahul wrote reads: “But I don’t see atrocities of ‘women’ on ‘men’ at all. I see some horrible incidents of sociopathic human beings who happen to be women, committing horrible crimes. On the other hand… I see a self sustaining system that has lasted centuries that suffocates women… that through invisible, everyday micro aggressions, forces them to shrink their identities. That doesn’t offer them an equal world. This is from my perspective.”
Rahul’s Stance on Gender Atrocities
He also wrote about how he has seen women around him suffer silently, so it’s what he chose to convey in The Girlfriend. “I felt responsible for it as a man… because I benefit from the power equation,” he wrote. Rahul also mentioned that he hasn’t read the details of the case, and if there’s a story to tell, he will do so. “But it would be about one particular woman committing a crime. Not crimes of women on men. There’s a difference, the way I see it,” he added.
Rahul also pointed out that Deekshit’s character in the film isn’t a murderer or a rapist, nor is there physical abuse, and he’s faithful. And yet, people get triggered by him. “Ask yourself why that is,” he wrote.
She also added, “Couldnt care less if I get abused. I am happily married I wish the happiness and such a man for other girls. Of course I guess now the incels will start haemorrhaging on my replies.” Much as she predicted, their statements led to backlash and accusations that the couple was ‘biased’.
Chinmayi Sripaada Joins the Fray
“It doesn’t suit your narrative of Chinmayi , so you won’t share it or react to it, but she calls out sexual assault cases across religions… especially men of religion. All religions. But you will ignore it and keep saying she has a bias. She goes very hard on parents who physically abuse their children. Both women and men. But you will ignore those because it doesn’t suit your narrative of her,” wrote Rahul, defending his wife.
“Your point seems to be to discredit her rather than the issue at hand itself. Why would you think of her when talking about an issue that has nothing to do with her?” he added. He also released a new statement, telling the trolls they have ‘changed’ his mind. Rahul wrote with sarcasm that he now agrees ‘women are dangerous, men beware.’ “Patriarchy doesn’t exist anymore. Probably never did. It’s a fallacy,” he added.
He also agreed that two controversial murders of men by women every single year ‘can’t be ignored’. “I will make a movie that exposes them and the poisonous mindset of Indian women at large. This works guys? Why have discussions when it’s time for us to act. Let’s go,” he ended his note.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges public figures face when addressing sensitive social issues. Rahul and Chinmayi’s defense underscores their commitment to their perspectives, even amidst significant online backlash and scrutiny from a polarized audience.
