Disclaimer: This article contains a video which shows violence against men. Viewer discretion is advised.
When we talk about domestic violence, we don’t just talk about violence against women. Men are subjected to domestic violence too and are often silent about it. It is a grave issue which people are fighting against every day. In such a time when awareness against violence is spreading and movies like ‘Thappad’ are being made, making an advertisement which glorifies it is nothing but deplorable.
An advertisement featuring actress Sanjana Sanghi did exactly that. According to Hindustan Times, the ad shows how a couple is trying to figure out what movie to watch. Sanjana’s character goes on to slap the man as many as 8 times before he asks her to stop. She then tells him that they would watch the 8th film on the list. How is this even funny?
Watch the video here:
Are you going this crazy while picking what to watch? We have a solution for your confusion! Now, #PlayMoreBrowseLess with the new Lionsgate Play app. Download and get a free trial for 14 days. pic.twitter.com/fenIdN1kNT
— Lionsgate Play (@lionsgateplayIN) December 2, 2020
Actress Pooja Bedi took to Twitter to express how “horrified” she was on watching the video. She slammed the makers of the advertisement and said that violence against men is not acceptable.
Absolutely HORRIFIED 2 watch this advt. Domestic violence against men is NOT acceptable. What if a man was slapping a woman in this advt? This should NEVER CLEAR an advertising board! #men have rights! #domesticviolence@sharmarekha @smritiirani @DeepikaBhardwaj @amitdeshmra https://t.co/9yph7VMuAw
— Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) December 9, 2020
Several other people slammed the advertisement too, called it “insensitive” and “shameful”, and couldn’t believe that the ad was approved by the company in the first place.
Promoting domestic violence against men.
Pathetic..Deplorable..Shameful..— Agent Nick🗯️ (@insanelonda) December 6, 2020
Rubbish ad. How ridiculous to normalise Domestic violence on men.
Have some common sense.— Pradeep (@Prady2020) December 6, 2020
Absolutely shameful. Imagine the storm if the genders were reversed.#AbuseHasNoGender
— Taking The Biscuit (@BiscuitHalf) December 6, 2020
Like seriously !! What were the makers thinking…?? Such synical approach to promote.. this should go down immediately..No kind of voilence is appreciated.
— Ritika Majumdar (@RitikaMajumdar3) December 9, 2020
What kind of insensitive balderdash is this? How is slapping someone for random things like choosing a show considered funny! How dare you make light of physical abuse? Highly condemnable and completely unacceptable. Take this nonsense down!! https://t.co/G8rYk6RaLm
— Madhuri (తెలుగింటి అమ్మాయి) (@Madhuri_2706) December 10, 2020
WHAT!Who thought of this & then approved it??? Disgusting.What next – hit a woman? A senior citizen? A child? An animal maybe? Oh if all those choices seem wrong then HOW IS THIS RIGHT??? @lionsgateplayIN if this is your advert then I have no intention of checking ur shows out https://t.co/sVax9KyM1H
— Anku Pande Chibb (@ankupande) December 9, 2020
I just spotted this and its absolutely disgusting. Who are these people who can like think this? This team where one can share this idea & get internal approvals to pitch to their client? AND the client who approves it? The companies involved n their teams – WHO are these people!
— Anku Pande Chibb (@ankupande) December 9, 2020
sick . yeh kya hai ? the sadistic joy on the girls face as she keeps slapping him & imagine the outrage if it was the boy slapping the girl 8 times to figure which show to watch on an app ! but what kind of dimag comes up with such bs . https://t.co/1dRCi6e3H5
— Richa Lakhera (@RICHA_LAKHERA) December 10, 2020
Violence in all forms, against any gender, is unacceptable. It is shameful how in these times when awareness surrounding such issues is at its peak, an advertisement like this gets to see the light of day.