The Telugu film ‘Arjun Reddy‘ and its Bollywood remake ‘Kabir Singh‘ were at the heart of controversy for depicting (and romanticizing) substance abuse, toxic masculinity and abusive relationships. They also received criticism for normalizing stalking and misogynist comments.
Things took a dangerous turn when the director of both films Sandeep Vanga defended his work by saying,
“When you are deeply in love and deeply connected to a woman (and vice versa), if you don’t have the liberty of slapping each other, then I don’t see anything there.”
Many celebrities like Kubbra Sait, Goldie Behl, Shobhaa De, and Sona Mohapatra slammed the movies and the director’s comments. But desi junta believes that the tightest slap is being served by actress Taapsee Pannu with her upcoming movie ‘Thappad’, reports The Times of India.
According to Hindustan Times, the plot revolves around a couple where the wife wants a divorce from her husband as he slapped her during an office party. The snippet goes on to show others in her life telling her to forgive him and move on but she’s determined to follow through on her decision.
One of the scenes also subtly slams Sandeep Vanga’s statement where a character is heard saying, “Thodi bahut maar-peet to expression of love hi hai na sir,” reports India Today. The trailer’s conclusion brings home the point that respect is the cornerstone of any relationship.
Twitter is calling it the perfect antonym to ‘Kabir Singh’. Take a look.
#ThappadTrailer is a much needed reply to Kabir Singh/ Arjun Reddy. The violence is totally unacceptable in any relationship. Kudos to @taapsee @anubhavsinha @deespeak and the rest of the team. https://t.co/Il0swjBVdW
— Faria Ahmad (@Faaaari) January 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/hydratedputain/status/1223156867318177792
#Thappad is the resounding aftermath of #KabirSingh rhetoric, which needs to be heard. We needed this film @taapsee @anubhavsinha. Look forward!
— Lady Lala (@shrusaumya) January 31, 2020
"Thodi bahot maar-peet toh expression of love hi hai na" a slap on Kabir Singh and those who think it is OKAY for a husband to slap his wife. #ThappadTrailer @taapsee you are amazing & proud of you. Thank you @anubhavsinha for highlighting such an important issue.
— Pooja (@iamp00ja) January 31, 2020
#Thappad is a tight slap on #KabirSingh fanbois.#ThappadTrailer
— Warrior Princess (@_peacefulmind) January 31, 2020
Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! #Thappad is a slap on the makers of #KabirSingh who think 'thodi bahot maar peet to expression of love hain' #ThappadTrailer
— Gaurav Kadam ☮️ (@gauraavkadam) January 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/OmkarAradwad/status/1223212611614826496
Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh found shaking in their boots. #Thappad
— Ash⁷ (@bangtanchai_) January 31, 2020
i’m glad that although we have movies like kabir singh that we also have movies like thappad that reminds us that: no, it’s never okay to hit each other not even when you’re in love
— 𝓂𝒶𝒾𝓈𝒽𝒶 (@somuchbolly) January 31, 2020
Hey Kabir Singh, Thappad trailer is all what we were talking about.
— Raj Ajay Pandya (@musinich) January 31, 2020
#Thappad is tight slap on our society who support all kind of domestic violence and enjoyed movie like Kabir singh. In current set up only few actresses like @taapsee who have courage to do such movies. After Tabu’s Astitva, it took 20 yrs 4 Bollywood to make another great story
— abhayahluwalia (@abhayahluwalia) January 31, 2020
We’re so glad that this has sparked a public discourse around the misogynistic idea of love and how abuse should not be tolerated, no matter how trivial it may seem.