Do Films Like Merry Christmas Downplay Mothers' Acts of Violence?

Merry Christmas intricately weaves the story of two strangers (or murderers) whose paths intertwine, altering the trajectory of their lives one fateful night. The narrative introduces us to a mother played by Katrina Kaif grappling with her drug addict husband's infidelity and his mistreatment towards their daughter, alongside a man played by Vijay Sethupathi dealing with the heartbreak of rejection by his married lover. Director Sriram Raghavan, known for his adept storytelling, crafts a thrilling experience that immerses the audience in the lives of these characters. As a fan of Raghavan's previous works, I eagerly anticipated a murder mystery; however, my enthusiasm waned upon discovering the motives behind the murders. 

One depicted a lover's impulsive act fueled by rage, while the other unfolded as a meticulously planned murder by a mother seeking retribution or protection for her daughter from the father's misdeeds. In the film Merry Christmas, Sethupathi's character faces a seven-year prison sentence for his actions, while Katrina Kaif's character does not as both of them together outsmart the cops. While murder mysteries often captivate audiences, the inclusion of a maternal element in justifying murderers left me contemplating the complexities of human emotions and their portrayal in crime thrillers. 

A Few Recent Examples

The plotline where characters, motivated by love, opt for revenge and resort to violence, particularly in the context of a mother's love for her children is a very familiar one. One very recent film was Kareena Kapoor's Jaane Jaan, where her character, Sonia, pushed to protect her daughter from a toxic husband, resorts to murder and is then helped by another man who helps her save herself from the law. Read Jaane Jaan's full plot review here.

Similarly, in Lust Stories 2, Kajol's character, Devyani, in the segment Tilchatta exemplifies the extreme lengths a mother might go to, killing her sexually abusive husband to secure her son's future.

Reflecting on these plotlines of women from different eras, region, background and class, it becomes apparent that the theme of a mother's love often results in a silent glorification and justification of their actions, allowing them to seek murder as revenge and then escape legal consequences. 

Glorifying Crimes or Ignoring Legal Realities?

It raises important questions about how such incidents are portrayed. Doesn't it subtly glorify and rationalise them, subsequently evading legal consequences after resorting to murder, all in the name of a mother's love? However, in real-life legal scenarios, have you ever heard a judge or lawyer justify such actions merely because they were motivated by a mother's love? The reality is that while a mother's love is undeniably powerful, it does not grant immunity to commit murder and escape consequences.

In reality, such acts are rarely glorified in news reports or court statements or anywhere and instead, individuals involved face legal consequences and charges. If this aspect is not portrayed on screen, I can't help but think it might inadvertently contribute to the glorification of criminal acts.

Views expressed by the author are their own