Actress Madhoo Admits 'Phool Aur Kaante' Glorified Eve-Teasing

Amid the ongoing debate around the portrayal of women in films triggered by the 'Peddi' controversy, veteran actress Madhoo has candidly admitted that her 1991 blockbuster 'Phool Aur Kaante' glorified eve-teasing. She even acknowledged the fact that the same content, if released today, would be socially and legally unacceptable.

Madhoo reflects on rape scenes and shifting audience sensibilities

Speaking to IANS, Madhoo offered a frank look at how drastically cinematic norms have changed. She said, "Back in the day, rape scenes were very easily accepted, which is why they were included in almost every film. No questions were raised about them. In fact, Ranjit sir was referred to as a 'rape specialist.' Such scenes would be depicted with pulling, struggling, and assault. I, too, was involved in one such scene. " She noted the contrast with today's landscape. The actress added, "Today, rape scenes are rarely shown in films. Even when they are depicted, they are presented very subtly." In the same conversation, the actress was equally candid about her own superhit, acknowledging that the film's depiction of harassment as courtship would not survive today's scrutiny. She shared, "In 'Phool Aur Kaante', the first two songs are only eve-teasing. The boys are chasing on a college campus and whistling, and I am looking at it as romance, and we all looked at it as romance. I fall in love with the boy who is teasing me and harassing me. Today, you will call that and put him behind bars. If a boy chased you today in college and campus and did all this, it would not be accepted."

Madhoo says cinema reflects the society

Madhoo drew a clear distinction between what was celebrated then and what is expected now. She stated, "Therefore, today, you can't even show that in a movie, because if you show that in a movie and we start admiring it as an audience, then it may give subtle permission to young men that they can do this. But, you cannot do this, this is not romance, this is not love, this is eve-teasing, this is harassment. But the same thing has become the biggest hit in the 90s, and I am part of that hit. But that was not trolled, that was only made a big hit." She concluded with a broader observation on the relationship between cinema and society, saying, "So, what I am trying to say is our cinema reflects our society. As the society changes, as the conversation changes, the movie has to reflect that."

'Peddi' controversy

The makers of 'Peddi', starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, recently faced widespread trolling over what many viewers perceived as the objectification of Janhvi Kapoor's character. The backlash has sparked a broader conversation about how Indian cinema has historically treated women. The film was released in theatres on June 4, 2026.