Does Cancelling Ranbir Kapoor Help Women Fight Sexism?

Following Alia Bhatt's disclosure that Ranbir Kapoor encouraged her to remove her lipstick in favour of her natural lip colour, Kapoor faced significant backlash on social media. Her statement was met with criticism from users, who condemned Kapoor's actions. As of now, the couple has not issued an official statement in response to the ensuing controversy.

Amid the promotions for Heart of Stone, the actor shared a video demonstrating her lipstick application routine. While revealing the reasons behind her approach, she disclosed that her then-boyfriend and now-husband, Ranbir Kapoor, used to encourage her to remove her lipstick, expressing a preference for her natural lip shade. This revelation triggered a social media frenzy, with users harshly criticising Kapoor for his remark.

She added, "I thought, that was just something that I worked out for myself and then, I rub it off. Because one thing my husband says when we used to go out at night, he used to say 'Wipe that off. Wipe that off'. Because he loves the natural colour of my lip."

See the video here.

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The aftermath saw an influx of severe online backlash, with users vehemently criticising Ranbir Kapoor for his stance. Comments flooded in, such as, "The more I hear about Ranbir Kapoor, the more concerned I become for her. If your boyfriend or husband insists on you removing your lipstick, it's a major sign to leave! This isn't cute or amusing in any way! It's unbelievable that India's most celebrated actor is facing such a situation. " "Bhatt revealing that Ranbir Kapoor disliked her wearing lipstick and would ask her to remove it every time they went on a date is quite unsettling. If a man attempted to dictate how I should wear makeup, I would definitely end the relationship," and various others expressing similar sentiments.

Kapoor has been in the news for his distasteful body-shaming joke about his wife Alia Bhatt, following which his old problematic interviews with other female costars have resurfaced. Many women have cancelled the actor for being a repeat offender, especially when it comes to speaking over women. But what do women gain from cancelling Ranbir Kapoor on the internet for a few days?

Bollywood stars have often made sexist comments and jokes and got away with it because of their power and stardom. While the practice of cancel culture sometimes holds these stars accountable for their actions, it mostly dies down soon enough, as social media's attention moves to a new topic the next day. On one hand, it is good to see people calling problematic statements by public figures, on the other hand, it comes across as a frivolous action that doesn't constructively fix the issue being talked about.

Ranbir Kapoor cancelled due to repeat offenses

Earlier this week, a Twitter user shared a clip saying "this clip pisses me off sm" as she further added a thread of more such incidents where Ranbir Kapoor was caught being disrespectful towards his female costars. The Twitter user also mentioned another part in the ">interview, saying, "and then later in the same interview when she asked him if he realises that she’s right there and she can talk about her own role in the film he responded and said “i am the producer of the film, i can talk about it."

The backlash against the actor started after he fatshamed his wife Alia Bhatt, saying that she had "phaeloed" while pointing at her baby bump. In the clip from the interaction that has now gone viral, he covers up his remark by saying that it was just a joke. However, the remark didn't sit quite right with the audience as they called out Kapoor for being disrespectful. Ranbir Kapoor was cancelled all over the internet and it was followed by the old interviews people shared of him acting irresponsibly.

Suggested Reading : Ranbir Kapoor Says He Lacks Humour For ‘Phaeloed’ Remark About Pregnant Wife Alia Bhatt

Do we even benefit from cancel culture?

People are right in calling out Ranbir Kapoor for his misbehaviour and his followers need to understand that there is a way to talk to costars. His lineage, entitlement or talent don't mean that he can feel superior over his peers. The call out might even open the eyes of some of his followers who emulate the actor's behaviour and thus feel it is okay to speak over women.

But how does calling out a public figure help women in general to seek better treatment?

The problem with cancelling public figures like Ranbir Kapoor is that people take no time to forget such incidents, especially the question the unequal treatment meted out to women. For instance, Kapoor has now apologised for his fat-shaming remark, but has he done so because he is willing to change his behaviour, or because he wants to safeguard his public image?

Will anyone check if these public figures actually changed post cancelling? Or will men ever be restricted from enjoying the privileges given to them by patriarchy? Cancel Culture is just another attempt of keyboard warriors to solve world problem from across the screens but seldom do such actions help out people in genuine crisis.

So while cancelling Ranbir Kapoor might be a win for internet warriors, it achieves little for women in our country. True change will only come when we have a two-way conversation that helps men understand the butterfly effect of sexism.

Views expressed are authors own.