Rani Mukerji has been facing a lot of flak on social media for her views on #MeToo cases. The actress opined that women and girls should take the onus on their own hands, and learn martial arts in order to tackle sexual misconduct, which however, did not go down well with many.
Rani along with some other popular Bollywood actresses recently appeared in "The Actresses Roundtable 2018" that was hosted by Rajeev Masand. Apart from Rani, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Taapsee Pannu and Tabu also were part of the discussion.
The chat session involved various topics, and one of those was the #MeToo movement in India. While Deepika, Anushka and Alia stressed that measures should be taken to make the environment safer for women, and mindset of such perpetrators should change, Rani said that women should take the responsibility to make themselves strong enough to handle such situations.
The Mardaani actress stressed that women should learn martial arts so that they feel strong and courageous enough to protect themselves. She also said that martial arts should be made compulsory in schools for girls. Deepika, Alia and Anushka did not completely agree with Rani, as they felt not every women are constructed that way, and this would again put the onus on them.
Nonetheless, Rani's viewpoint appeared to be flawed to many, who criticised the actress on social media, saying that she is among those who blames women for such cases, and not the perpetrators. Although there are a few who supported Rani's words, most of the reactions on social media appeared to be against her.
Check some of the reactions here:
If you thought only yesteryear actors were capable of being tone deaf to #metoomovement, victim shaming women & not holding men accountable for their actions - watch this.
— filmii Sana (@FilmiiG) December 30, 2018
At 34:30 - #RaniMukerji’s take on #metoo ?♀️ Great actor but just STFU. Lost respect,credibility..And a fan. https://t.co/yUOWIHYHBB
Ok. So you can't tell hundreds of mothers that they shouldn't bring up misogynistic sons but you want to tell millions of girls out there to compulsorily learn martial arts and defend themselves? This is nothing but victim shaming and blaming.
— Sumeet Kaur (@Sumeetkaur102) December 30, 2018
Shame on you, Rani Mukerji! https://t.co/cfvn74fzPM
What's wrong with Rani Mukerji..her statement about me too movement is shameful..and imagine such pathetic heartless and logic less words were coming from a woman!!!!! #RaniMukerji
— Animhat Zorfa (@tahmina_12) December 30, 2018
she's going on about how women should learn self defense (which is important I'm not saying it's not) but she is not focusing on why such a situation should arise in the first place. Deepika, Alia and Anushka allmade good points but I'm disappointed in Rani Mukerji. https://t.co/MeOv6jFGok
— ɦเα || ? tae ? (@velvetjungoo) December 30, 2018
Can Rani Mukerji stfu, I just saw the Actresses Roundtable and I want to scream because ma’am is so privileged and ignorant about the world around her.
— v day ? (@teambtsoutsold) December 30, 2018
OPINIONS#RaniMukerji is right, you MUST know how to DEFEND yourself&others are also right, shouldn't come to such a situation itself! Rani MUST RESPECT when others talk! Expressions said it ALL? @deepikapadukone didn't even had eye contact as she isn't a confrontational person pic.twitter.com/d9q6ZIK9Pc
— Dilip Kumar Fan Club (@Amirmurt) December 30, 2018
What is wrong with Rani Mukerji? Instances like this just go to show her lack of awareness and privilege. https://t.co/dybdlMukZY
— Payal Chhabria (@payalliya) December 30, 2018
Rani Mukerji saying women need to take self-defense classes as a response to a #MeToo discussion is probably one of the worst takes I’ve ever heard because the issue here is men sexually assaulting women, not women being incapable of stopping it.
— sai (@Saisailu97) December 29, 2018