Bollywood inspired crimes face no consequences.
By Akanksha Warrier
MUMBAI: Chasing reluctant women, until they give in coyly to romantic advances, happens only in Bollywood films. That’s the harsh lesson an Indian is learning in Australia, who is now facing trial for stalking two women.
Sandesh Baliga, 31, may face jail time on charges of stalking two women in 2012 and 2013. The accused began texting, calling and approaching the women having had only single, chance meetings with each of them, reported ABC Online.
Inspired by Bollywood movies, the accused believed that such persistence is what gets a woman to fall for a man. Ignoring their requests to stop the incessant harassment, Baliga continued to follow the two women. The situation was finally brought to the notice of the law enforcement by the women, after he started referring to himself as their boyfriend.
Baliga’s lawyer Greg Barns said he is from a remote part of India and has been living in Tasmania only for the past two years. The defence has attributed his behavior to a lack of understanding of social norms in Australia. It states that the Indian culture, especially Bollywood films, has contributed to his obnoxious behaviour. His case will be heard in court in September. Baliga has yet to enter a plea.
We’ve all seen Bollywood songs where the ‘romantic’ hero follows the heroine on the streets, singing, trying to woo her. Let’s take a look at the movie Raanjhaana, where the protagonist Kundan stalks his love interest Zoya for most of his life. Or Tere Naam, where, the thuggish Radhe becomes obsessed with a simple Brahmin girl. Bollywood has glorified this feverish conquest of love time and time again.
But more importantly, if the same situation that happened in Tasmania, were to happen in India, would there even be a case registered with the police?
There are at least four cases of stalking reported every day in New Delhi itself with minimal or no action being taken against the criminals. In spite of offenses such as stalking and acid attacks being punishable in the court of law, there is growing discontent regarding the lack of preventive laws such as a restraining order.
Perhaps all our small town Romeos out there need a reminder to not embrace their inner Raanjhanas. You clearly think of yourself as the next Shahrukh Khan and truly, we wish you were him. But whether it be Australia or your hometown, women do not want men following them around.
In the real world, unlike Bollywood, no means NO.
2 Comments
DO NOT BLAME BOLLYWOOD FOR CRIME OR RAPE IN INDIA .DO YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT THERE ARE NO RAPES IN USA OR UK OR CHINA?? BIG COUNTRY LIKE HAVE PROBLEMS OF LAW AND ORDER BUT IT WILL IMPROVE WITH THE TIME PLEASE GOOD MOVIES LIKE GURU DUTTS PYAASA OR RAJ KAPOORS ANARI
I’m Hindustani and I hate Bollywood, why because it it’s the reason nationalism is non existent in Hindustan, rape is the fault of Bollywood because they made it look normal and fun, they make Indians think that corruption is the norm and is okay. I propose that we bring an end to Bollywood as most of Indias problems stem from Bollywood.