Rajkummar Rao Draws Line in the Sand: Won’t Slap a Woman On Screen

Actor Opens Up About Kabir Singh Controversy, Anticipates Stree 2 Success

Rajkummar Rao has stirred up a conversation about consent and respect in Bollywood with his candid admission about a line he would never cross on screen. The talented actor revealed in a recent interview that he would be unable to slap a woman for a film role.

The statement comes amid ongoing discussions about the portrayal of toxic masculinity in Indian cinema, particularly in the wake of the controversial film, Kabir Singh. The Shahid Kapoor starrer faced intense criticism for its glorification of violence and abusive behavior towards women.

“It would be very hard for me to slap a girl in a scene,” @RajkummarRao makes it clear. And what if he was offered a film like #KabirSingh? Here’s what he said at #HTStarsInTheCity with @sonalkalra. pic.twitter.com/6BaffTeSml

— HT City (@htcity) August 13, 2024

When asked if he could have pulled off a role like Kabir Singh, Rao expressed his reservations. “I would have had a lot of discussions with my director about that scene,” he said, referring to the infamous slapping incident. “Unless it’s absolutely essential to the character, I couldn’t justify it.”

The actor’s stance has earned him praise for taking a stand against harmful stereotypes and promoting healthier representations of relationships on screen. While he remains open to exploring complex and morally ambiguous characters, Rao’s commitment to respect and consent is a refreshing change in an industry often criticized for its regressive portrayals.

Meanwhile, the actor is gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated comedy-horror film, Stree 2. The sequel to the 2018 hit has already generated significant buzz, with fans eagerly awaiting Rao’s return as the quirky and lovable character.