In India, as in many other countries, societal norms have historically placed a strong emphasis on the sanctity of marriage. As a result, there exists a perception that married people should exercise caution while forming close friendships, engage in physical forms of affection, or have prolonged conversations with individuals of the opposite gender. Any individual, especially women, who challenges these notions is seen as a threat to society’s traditions and is shamed, character assassinated and ridiculed. Here’s an example.
A picture of Deepika Padukone kissing Shahrukh Khan on his cheek was shared by the actress on social media. The two actors have had a very close friendship throughout the years, considering the many successful films they have worked together in.
Underneath the picture, Ranveer Singh commented with the lyrics of the song ‘Chaleya’ and wrote,“Ishq mein dil bana hai, ishq mein dil fanaa hai, ooooo.”
Suddenly, there were a lot of people who took to social media to disapprove of this kind of friendly behavior between two married people. They claimed that for Deepika to kiss another man and for her husband to make the comment that he did is not okay. Apparently, this kind of culture is creating havoc in society and is normalizing cheating in relationships.
Have a look:
Call me an old school person IDC, but I won't ever hug/kiss any male person like that apart from my partner!! pic.twitter.com/D2irxL6cxR
— Vedika Jain (@Vedika_jainn) September 17, 2023
The wife is kissing another man and her husband is proudly writing romantic lines in a comment 🥱 things people do to get movies 👀 where is our society heading? pic.twitter.com/3lD6KkAgAB
— Aditi. (@Sassy_Soul_) September 17, 2023
A married woman kissing another married man and her husband romanticizing it is absolutely nonsense behavior. The virus that Bollywood culture is spreading is causing havoc in society, and common people acquiring their culture are the reason for increased cheating in… pic.twitter.com/1oNth4dylB
— Prateekaaryan 𝕏 (@Prateek_Aaryan) September 17, 2023
I so agree. What kind of trust levels do couples have these days? Do they even feel peaceful secured like our parents generation?
Everything has limits. If you cross limits n go to extremes the outcome is generally unhealthy Then why can't we follow simple limits kept by nature https://t.co/Si5NOofpEo— Nita Kewl (@Nitzmatazz) September 18, 2023
GROSS
This is not our dharmic culture. You submit to one man in love and he promises to care and provide and lead in love.
They are both married to OTHER people and her own husband is cheering this on.
I guess a Deepika OF soon to follow. https://t.co/654fKodrrB
— Rupali Chadha, M.D.🩺 (@RupaliChadhaMD) September 18, 2023
It is perfectly okay for married people to have close friendships with individuals from the opposite sex as long as they work within the boundaries of marriage. There needs to be trust, communication and individual agency within marriages and such restrictive views must be let go if we are to progress as a society.