Activists, feminists, film lovers and even the Madras High Court have all weighed in on the glorification of stalking and violence against women in Tamil cinema. This after the brutal murder of Swathi, a techie in Chennai by an alleged stalker at the Nungambakkam railway station last month. While Kollywood has been largely silent on the debate, actor Siddharth on Sunday tweeted admitting that the film industry has been “selling a terrible dream”.
We've been selling a terrible dream in our films for long. That any man can get the woman he wants just by wanting her enough. Must change!
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) July 17, 2016
In reply to TNM's Dhanya Rajendran, the star acknowledged that stalking in real life is inspired by what is shown in films. He pointed out that the film industry is collectively responsible for encouraging stalking and that no one, including him, could shift blame for this.
@dhanyarajendran the truth is a lot of stalking in real life is inspired by what we show in our films. Too many examples of justification.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) July 17, 2016
@dhanyarajendran when a woman says no,it means no. Not yes.Not maybe. No. No matter what a man says or does. Period. Sadly we see otherwise.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) July 17, 2016
@dhanyarajendran we are all responsible for this. Nobody can shift blame including me. We have to ensure stalking is not encouraged anymore.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) July 17, 2016
Highlighting the skewed narrative in most films, where women stalking men in films are branded as “vamps”, Siddharth tweeted saying it was time the industry had a discussion on what it was promoting.
When a woman stalks a man in our films she's a vamp. When a man does it he is a hero. It's a complicated discussion. But it needs to be had.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) July 17, 2016
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