Twitter Thread About How Madhuri Was Forced To Do A Rape Scene Shows The Ugly Side Of Showbiz

Bollywood is not only an entertainment industry but a pedestal of demi-Gods. Let me try again. Bollywood by virtue is an entertainment industry but it is also a sexist mantle that is beyond obsessed with heroes and nothing more than heroes.

Like that wasn’t enough. The industry men and women easily slip into the shackles of exploitation of every kind, especially sexual. Casting couch and its likes (cue: sexual molestation/harassment) are rampant and that is not even the worst of the problems. What is? There is no unity when it comes to voicing the collective angst.

I mean, you’d think that after the tumultuous accounts of women assaulted and harassed by Harvey Weinstein and the bold #MeToo campaign, Bollywood would fraternise more than just in the parties but the reality is far from being ideal.

In fact, the reality is worse than you’d expect it to be. Real stories that otherwise may seem nightmarish are surfacing and it’s sad that another year just went by discussing women safety. Just discussing.

And I’m sorry, but today is no exception either.

Zehra Kazmi, a Journalist with Hindustan Times penned a thread about how Madhuri Dixit, in her initial days, was ‘forced’ to do a rape scene and it’ll make your blood boil. 

It all began over a radio show…

On radio today, listened to Annu Kapoor tell the sickening story of how a young, petrified Madhuri Dixit was forced to film a "rape scene" with Ranjit because her director Bapu insisted she couldn't back out. "Rape scene toh hoga," he told her.

— Zehra Kazmi | زہرا کاظمی (@ArhezImkaz) December 24, 2017

By the tweet, it can be assumed that the film was ‘Prem Pratigyaa’ that she did with Mithun Chakraborty.

Along the thread, Kazmi also threw light on how Bollywood treats actress as props (at least till now) and how it is always extended with tone-deaf narrations. Sample this.

Annu Kapoor's tone-deaf narration made the incident a juicy tidbit, not the disgusting exploitation it was. While me and my friend cringed and felt deeply uncomfortable, our cab driver thought it was hilarious and laughed at the "rape scene toh hoga" punchline.

— Zehra Kazmi | زہرا کاظمی (@ArhezImkaz) December 24, 2017

And, although tirelessly, she asked something we all have been wondering for some time now!

How long before toxic Bollywood gets it's own Harvey Weinstein moment??

— Zehra Kazmi | زہرا کاظمی (@ArhezImkaz) December 24, 2017

Can you imagine the plight and irony?

The director and crew clapped when she completed the scene, she was too shaken to say a word. The entire film set sounds repulsive!

— Zehra Kazmi | زہرا کاظمی (@ArhezImkaz) December 25, 2017

Needless to say, it has irked the likes of many like-minded people online. 

1. Unfortunately, this is just another number of the piling statistics.

This is horrific. Bollywood has so many stories like these that are not looked at as assault. Here's another one with Rekha when she was all of fourteen years. https://t.co/qIa5VLL2pf

— Rookie Matchstick (@kookykarthik) December 25, 2017

2. ‘Disgusting.’

Disgusting.!
Do these people realise what effect such braying and bragging has on listeners ?
Such discussions reinforces in minds of people that it's acceptable to exploit and to rape is alright ! Such accounts shud never be spoken of even in private let alone publicly..shameful

— WisecrackTheMarmooz (@MyTattleRattles) December 25, 2017

3. Certainly, seems like so!

Are they insane?????

— Sumit Katyal (@SumitKatyal2) December 25, 2017

Having said that, we are lucky to see some changes with a few samaritans who have helmed the responsibility of bringing those changes. But there is a long way before showbiz can call itself taint-free.