R Madhavan has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding his 2001 film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, which, despite underperforming at the box office, has since become a beloved cult classic. While the film initially gained a following for its charming characters and romantic plot, viewers in later years have pointed out problematic aspects, particularly the lead character’s actions of lying and stalking to win over the woman he loves.
Madhavan, who played the lead role in the film, has now addressed the criticism, defending the portrayal of romance in the film. Speaking to Mashable India, the actor expressed his disagreement with the recent backlash, stating that the film’s actions were being judged unfairly using a “Western yardstick.”
“I completely disagree with all this. These concepts like green flag, blue flag—these are just meaningless things said by idle people. I believe it’s important to be a gentleman. Since childhood, we were taught how to talk to women, how to approach them, and this has always been a part of our culture. Of course, there are troublemakers everywhere, but you can’t judge us using a Western yardstick,” Madhavan asserted.
The actor emphasized that during the time Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein was made, societal norms and dating practices were different, and the concept of stalking wasn’t seen through the same lens as it is today. Madhavan reflected on how, in those days, meeting a woman in a big city like Mumbai was often a matter of showing love and respect, and in his view, following someone was the only way to get to know them.
He further challenged those who labeled the film as problematic, asking, “I ask those who call it problematic – back in the day, if we wanted to meet a girl in Mumbai, we did it with love and respect. If we were in an unfamiliar city and wanted to meet a girl, how would we do it?”
Though the film’s portrayal of love has since raised concerns in light of modern conversations around consent and healthy relationships, Madhavan’s comments highlight the difference in cultural perceptions and the evolving understanding of romance in cinema over time.