If you were to check the number of rape cases that have been reported in the news today in India alone, it would reflect just how grim of a world we live in. An 11-year-old girl was reportedly raped by at least 22 men for over 7 months in Chennai. In another part of the country, a 14-month-old infant was allegedly raped by her grandfather. This is the country we live in. Despite constant media coverage on this matter, the worrying reality that Indian girls and women are not safe here has had no change.
And in the midst of it all, we still have famous personalities who perpetuate a rape culture to their audience.
The latest such personality is film director Mysskin who, at the launch of the trailer of his new movie, made a speech praising Malayalam film star Mammootty.
Speaking of his film, the director spoke in great depth about Mammootty’s performance in the movie and his excellence as an actor. He even made claims that given at the hands of a Tamil actor, the role would’ve been spoiled.
However, Mysskin took his praises a bit too far when he made the following controversial statement:
“If he had been younger and he had been a woman, I might have fallen in love with him. Had I been a girl, I’d have raped him actually. Such a fabulous acting.”
The rape joke made by the director was received with great applause from his audience.
Watch the video here:
Unlike his audience at the event who seem to approve of this rape culture, netizens are enraged that the director would make such a statement:
1. Extremely insensitive.
That rape comment at the end, and the ensuing applause. Sigh.
Quite an abhorrent way to express admiration. https://t.co/uw4TGYxT2t— Sudhir Srinivasan (@sudhirsrinivasn) July 16, 2018
2. Indeed.
https://twitter.com/AnithaRip/status/1018633786135908355
3. The misogynism runs deeps.
This is the kind of men who make films that turn out to be runaway hits even though the substance is utter filth and misogynistic gore.
Apparently, he'd rape someone to proclaim his love for them. And get this, the audience was in splits!#mysskinhttps://t.co/CG4z5l3TVi— V (@Vaishax) July 16, 2018
4. Rape jokes aren’t funny. Period.
#Mysskin's distasteful statement doesn't fall under 'just a joke' category. Oh man, rape jokes aren't funny. CAN NEVER BE. Survivors of sexual violence deserve respect and support. Please don't tweet, 'come on, he of course, didn't really mean it'.
— Subhakeerthana (@bhakisundar) July 16, 2018
5. Stop toxic masculinity.
Part of being a #SJW is calling out men for their wrong behaviour. #Mysskin and the triggering comments he used are unacceptable. The comments about it being appreciation for the actor does not justify the tasteless choice of words. Stop #ToxicMasculinity https://t.co/9gSJUk7Q9l
— Rohit Valecha (@TheRohitValecha) July 17, 2018
6. Rape is not a joke.
Rape Is A Joke? Director's Worst Compliment… #Mysskin #Mammotty #Peranbu
People should stop considering the word RAPE so carelessly. RAPE is not a joke. Rape is not a word used to compliment someone. Rape is unacceptable.https://t.co/l7zIHrChMc— Telugu Movies (@TeluguMovieBuzz) July 17, 2018
7. A very cheap move.
https://twitter.com/iamSRUTHIN/status/1018869871348576256
8. Well said.
Is this even a worthy manner of appreciating Mammootty? What is so funny in #mysskin saying he would’ve raped #Mammootty had he been a girl? Role reversal?? Its not a compliment to either the mega star or any woman. Also – One can praise an actor without having to decry another. https://t.co/ov2mMMI1s0
— SujathaNarayanan (@N_sujatha08) July 16, 2018
What individuals with fan bases need to remember is that they have a responsibility to spread a good culture among their fanbase. This incident is proof of how some still don’t seem to recognise the severity of the rape culture in India. Shameful.