R Madhavan is currently promoting his upcoming film Aap Jaisa Koi alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh. The movie dives into several pressing social issues, especially toxic masculinity and how it shows up in relationships and behavior.
In a recent interview with HTCity, Madhavan spoke candidly about how Bollywood heroes have often portrayed flawed or problematic behavior on screen. Referring to his own hit film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, which has faced criticism over the years, he admitted,
“If you look back at any Hindi film or film hero, you’ll find that he is completely flawed. That’s how Indian culture has been represented on screen.”
He pointed out that nearly every major actor in Hindi cinema has done at least one film that includes elements of toxic masculinity — whether it’s showing aggression, slapping a woman, or other abusive behavior.
“Don’t just take Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. Take any film before that. Any hero who has slapped a woman in the story is toxic,” he said.
Madhavan urged people to view these characters in the context of their times. He explained that in older settings — especially rural areas — limited communication options influenced how men and women interacted.
“If a guy sees a girl on a train and wants to approach her with noble intentions, what is the right way to do it? If he holds on to a letter she gave, that’s considered creepy today.”
The actor concluded by saying that it’s time to redefine what masculinity really means.
“We have to change our understanding of what masculinity is right now.”
