Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, who shot to fame with her role in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (RHTDM), has recently shared her discomfort with the portrayal of stalking in the movie, acknowledging that today's woke audience might criticize the film for romanticizing such behaviour.
In the 2001 film, R. Madhavan's character, Maddy, falls head over heels in love with the sweet and soft-spoken Reena Malhotra, portrayed by Dia Mirza. However, his overzealous attempts to win her affection border on stalking, a theme that Dia now finds disconcerting. In an exclusive video interview with Bollywood Hungama, Dia Mirza confessed that she was uneasy with the stalking aspect even while filming the movie. Surprisingly, even two decades later, she still grapples with her discomfort regarding this narrative choice. Dia shared her feelings about the film, stating, “I was uncomfortable that Maddy's character was stalking me. Although, Reena acknowledges it. She gives it off to him. She has that moment when she tells him off.”
The reason the movie didn't receive more criticism, according to Dia, is the strong moral character exhibited by Maddy. She explained, “What works that people get past that notion, that it's okay, is the fact that Maddy's character, at the end of the value, has very strong values, is respectful, is kind, is well-intentioned, most importantly. So, that let it fly.”
Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein" was the Hindi adaptation of his 2001 Tamil film "Minnale." While the film has achieved a cult status, Dia Mirza's recent revelations shine a light on how societal attitudes towards relationships and consent have evolved over the years. It also prompts a reflection on how classic movies can sometimes unintentionally perpetuate problematic themes.
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