Objectifying female actors in films is unfortunately a very common occurrence in Indian cinema. From dialogues to camera angles to song lyrics, objectification and sexualisation of women is so normalised that most people don’t realise how problematic they are.
In the recent audio launch of the upcoming Tamil film Partner starring Hansika Motwani and Aadhi Pinisetty, a supporting actor known for his comedy roles, ‘Robo’ Shankar, found himself in hot waters after he made a sleazy remark about Hansika Motwani.
Robo Shankar Comment On Hansika Motwani
In the event, 'Robo' Shankar referred to Motwani as a perfectly made wax statue. He went on to brazenly compare her to softly kneaded Maida dough on stage. He spoke about how there was a scene that required him to caress Motwani’s leg, but the actor refused to perform such scenes. He stressed the advantages of being a hero who gets to romance the female actors and how it saddened him as a comedian. In the end, he smiled off his problematic statement by claiming it was "just for fun."
While the people on the dais, including the cast and the crowd, gathered off stage, according to one video, an unidentified male journalist is heard calling out Robo Shankar’s disrespectful statement.
The journalist is heard saying that 'Robo' Shankar has crossed his line in his objectifying statement towards Hansika Motwani. He explained how problematic such statements were given that female actors are objectified and sexualised on social media. Further, he urged not to allow such ill-mannered men to talk on stage, as it leaves a highly disgusting and misleading message to the public. The movie team reportedly apologised on 'Robo' Shankar's behalf.
Singer Chinmayi On Robo Shankar's Comment
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada posted the video of the same on her Twitter handle and wrote that this unidentified journalist deserves an award for being the only person to call out such a problematic statement while the rest of the crowd remained silent.
She further wrote about how these kinds of comments are normal at promotional events because some actors are "conditioned" to think that this is what the audience wants. She added prominent actors, speaking about how Tamil audiences preferred voluptuous female actors and not size zero.
With regard to this incident, it’s important to call out Robo Shankar for his "fun" statement, which was nauseating. What’s funny about sexualising and objectifying women? When we don’t do that to men, why are women reduced to mere objects of sexual gratification? This coming from Robo Shankar, who has a 21-year-old daughter, makes it all the more sickening!
Need To Stop Objectification Of Women
If any of us remotely felt that this was simply a harmless joke, no, it wasn’t.
For those who think it was indeed funny and a casual statement that’s usually made about female actors, it’s high time you realise how much internalised patriarchy has corrupted society. It’s not just about Robo Shankar here. Everyone in the event, except the journalist who realised the need to call out the problematic statement, should be ashamed for remaining silent.
Famous personalities and actors who speak in public forums and are vested with the power to influence society need to be socially conscious of what they say. It’s the bare minimum that they could do not just as celebrities but as humans.
Suggested Reading: Sexist Dialogues In Bollywood Movies That Are Disguised As Backhand Compliments
Views expressed by the author are their own
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Robo Shankar Slammed For Sleazy Comments On Hansika Motwani
In the recent audio launch of the upcoming Tamil film Partner starring Hansika Motwani and Aadhi Pinisetty, a supporting actor known for his comedy roles, ‘Robo’ Shankar, found himself in hot water after he made a sleazy remark about Hansika Motwani.
Image Credits: Screengrab via YouTube
Objectifying female actors in films is unfortunately a very common occurrence in Indian cinema. From dialogues to camera angles to song lyrics, objectification and sexualisation of women is so normalised that most people don’t realise how problematic they are.
In the recent audio launch of the upcoming Tamil film Partner starring Hansika Motwani and Aadhi Pinisetty, a supporting actor known for his comedy roles, ‘Robo’ Shankar, found himself in hot waters after he made a sleazy remark about Hansika Motwani.
Robo Shankar Comment On Hansika Motwani
In the event, 'Robo' Shankar referred to Motwani as a perfectly made wax statue. He went on to brazenly compare her to softly kneaded Maida dough on stage. He spoke about how there was a scene that required him to caress Motwani’s leg, but the actor refused to perform such scenes. He stressed the advantages of being a hero who gets to romance the female actors and how it saddened him as a comedian. In the end, he smiled off his problematic statement by claiming it was "just for fun."
While the people on the dais, including the cast and the crowd, gathered off stage, according to one video, an unidentified male journalist is heard calling out Robo Shankar’s disrespectful statement.
The journalist is heard saying that 'Robo' Shankar has crossed his line in his objectifying statement towards Hansika Motwani. He explained how problematic such statements were given that female actors are objectified and sexualised on social media. Further, he urged not to allow such ill-mannered men to talk on stage, as it leaves a highly disgusting and misleading message to the public. The movie team reportedly apologised on 'Robo' Shankar's behalf.
Singer Chinmayi On Robo Shankar's Comment
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada posted the video of the same on her Twitter handle and wrote that this unidentified journalist deserves an award for being the only person to call out such a problematic statement while the rest of the crowd remained silent.
She further wrote about how these kinds of comments are normal at promotional events because some actors are "conditioned" to think that this is what the audience wants. She added prominent actors, speaking about how Tamil audiences preferred voluptuous female actors and not size zero.
With regard to this incident, it’s important to call out Robo Shankar for his "fun" statement, which was nauseating. What’s funny about sexualising and objectifying women? When we don’t do that to men, why are women reduced to mere objects of sexual gratification? This coming from Robo Shankar, who has a 21-year-old daughter, makes it all the more sickening!
Need To Stop Objectification Of Women
For those who think it was indeed funny and a casual statement that’s usually made about female actors, it’s high time you realise how much internalised patriarchy has corrupted society. It’s not just about Robo Shankar here. Everyone in the event, except the journalist who realised the need to call out the problematic statement, should be ashamed for remaining silent.
Famous personalities and actors who speak in public forums and are vested with the power to influence society need to be socially conscious of what they say. It’s the bare minimum that they could do not just as celebrities but as humans.
Suggested Reading: Sexist Dialogues In Bollywood Movies That Are Disguised As Backhand Compliments
Views expressed by the author are their own