‘Thappad’ or a ‘Slap’ is something that glorifies both violence and an act of bravery. Well, when we talk about domestic violence, we are hugely subjected to one specific gender. And looking at the current scenario of cases happening in India it justifies too. But today we aren’t highlighting any domestic violence against women. Instead, we are trying to bring out the fact that men are also subjected to domestic violence and are often silent about it. In such times when movies like ‘Thappad’ are being made to spread the message of awareness against violence, an advertisement where a man is being slapped 8 times is certainly beyond the pale.
According to Hindustan Times, the ad features a couple wherein they are trying to figure out what movie to watch. Sanjana Sanghi’s character slaps the man 8 times in a row and the man asks her to stop. Well, the number of slaps was the actual ‘idea’ behind the advertisement. Because as soon as she stops she tells him that they would watch the 8th film on the list. Now that’s really productive! Isn’t it?
Soon after the advertisement, Twitteratis started slamming the advertisement for promoting Violence Against Men.
Check out the ad here:
Actress Pooja Bedi took to Twitter to express how “horrified” she was on watching the video. She slammed the makers of the advertisement and said that violence against men is not acceptable.
Absolutely HORRIFIED 2 watch this advt. Domestic violence against men is NOT acceptable. What if a man was slapping a woman in this advt? This should NEVER CLEAR an advertising board! #men have rights! #domesticviolence@sharmarekha @smritiirani @DeepikaBhardwaj @amitdeshmra https://t.co/9yph7VMuAw
— Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) December 9, 2020
And meanwhile, Twitteratis had also started reacting to the advertisement calling it “insensitive” and “shameful”, and they couldn’t believe that the ad was approved by the company in the first place.
Promoting domestic violence against men.
Pathetic..Deplorable..Shameful..— Agent Nick🗯️ (@insanelonda) December 6, 2020
Rubbish ad. How ridiculous to normalise Domestic violence on men.
Have some common sense.— Pradeep (@Prady2020) December 6, 2020
Absolutely shameful. Imagine the storm if the genders were reversed.#AbuseHasNoGender
— Taking The Biscuit (@BiscuitHalf) December 6, 2020
Like seriously !! What were the makers thinking…?? Such synical approach to promote.. this should go down immediately..No kind of voilence is appreciated.
— Ritika Majumdar (@RitikaMajumdar3) December 9, 2020
What kind of insensitive balderdash is this? How is slapping someone for random things like choosing a show considered funny! How dare you make light of physical abuse? Highly condemnable and completely unacceptable. Take this nonsense down!! https://t.co/G8rYk6RaLm
— Madhuri (తెలుగింటి అమ్మాయి) (@Madhuri_2706) December 10, 2020
WHAT!Who thought of this & then approved it??? Disgusting.What next – hit a woman? A senior citizen? A child? An animal maybe? Oh if all those choices seem wrong then HOW IS THIS RIGHT??? @lionsgateplayIN if this is your advert then I have no intention of checking ur shows out https://t.co/sVax9KyM1H
— Anku Pande Chibb (@ankupande) December 9, 2020
Violence against any gender or in any situation or case is unacceptable. It’s disgraceful that how as a society we are moving forward and understanding the moral values of ‘not committing any kind of violence in any forms,’ an advertisement like this is shameful.