What’s with Indian men?
The film deals with sexual harassment but by no means do we intend to en-cash publicity for our film at the cost of someone who has lost her life in such a miserable manner,” says Arjun Rampal, referring to the New Delhi rape victim.
“Rape is in the mind. I feel that only men with a typically sick mindset look down on women in such an uncouth manner. Sex should not be treated as a taboo in the society. Educating people is the dire need of the hour. As kids we men were taught at home to be the provider for our families, we are taught to take care of our daughters, sisters, moms and wives. Men with sick attitudes towards women need to be treated by certain NGOs who know how to deal with such guys. From time to time such committees should try and educate men how to behave with women. Our legal system should be changed and rapists need to be penalised to the maximum. Our government needs to create a safer environment for women.”
Arjun has a five-point agenda for bringing about changes that involve providing fruitful employment to adults, sensitising the authorities towards women who file complaints, increasing the number of cops in public areas by decreasing the security cover of politicians, inculcating the right values and last but not the least, making it mandatory for men to join the Army after college to impart discipline and make them better citizens. “For men it is a prestige issue if they go around with 20 women. But a woman is termed a slut if she goes around with a few men. We need to change the perception of mistreating and blaming women.”
On a different issue, Arjun says that he wished the leading ladies in the industry would act normally on the sets. “Why can’t they be normal like us men? They need to leave their stardom at home and not come with the unnecessary baggage.” “Working with Shruti Hassan for D-Day was a great experience. She has no airs; I shared a great rapport with her. Chitrangada too believes in working very much as herself.”
About Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar’s statements on Bollywood item numbers having a bad effect on men, Arjun says, “I disagree that the dancing style of Bollywood has a bad effect on men. If Michael Jackson’s pelvic thrusts were welcomed and Elvis Presley’s steps were appreciated, what is wrong with our item numbers?”
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