Well Meaning Fans or Male Entitlement? Ft Anupama Parameswaran

 

Men are "disappointed" with Anupama Parameswaran because of her role in Tillu Square opposite Siddhu Jonnalagada. Anupama's IG handle is inundated with men openly expressing their "heartbreak" with the movie's posters, Anupama's dressing, and the trailer which has Anupama locking lips with Siddhu. 

This isn't new. The thing is, these men tend to set these actresses, in this case, Anupama Parameswaran as their girlfriend or wife. And just as they see it fit to control women in their lives, they see it fit to dictate Anu's choices - dressing, and movie roles. However, they are powerless to make Anu follow their rules so, they are expressing their male entitlement in the comment section.

It's another reflection of patriarchal society. Men still look to control women who they don't even know. Actresses who started their acting career without wearing revealing dresses don't get to shed fabric on screen smoothly, with general male fans acceptance like actors do. 

For example, Surya started his acting career without any body expose and eventually showed his ripped body. No one said anything. Rather, he became a beacon of inspiration for men's fitness.

Do you think these men would say, "No," if Anu offers to send this picture of herself to them privately, one on one? Nope. That's what. They think she's their property and by doing these roles and posting such pictures publicly, they can't take it. "She's my crush. Only mine. How can she show all these to other men? She's become public property now. A wh0re. She's no longer the girl I loved. So, I'm rejecting her." How do they reject her? Some by slut shaming, others by unfollowing, still others by expressing their chagrin openly.

 

This kind of moral policing isn't new. Many actresses went through it before Anu and many will go through it in the future. In another dimension, just because these women are actresses, men sexualize them no matter what they do and what they wear in meme pages. However, the men accosting Anu over her bodily autonomy don't say a word against men who sexualize her face and self in saree.

This is an AI generated image of Anu. I don't see anyone calling the men who did this out. But Anupama making decisions over her body and intimate scenes are criticized. Isn't it obvious that men don't mean well for Anu by passing such comments? They just can't take women and a woman they like owning her life. It's a huge blow to their masculinity.

Men can fantasize and generate such AI images of Anu. But Anu shouldn't choose what she wants to show. Or do intimate scenes. If she does, it's for money. But no one talks about her male co-star locking lips with her for money.  

To be fair, Anu's male co-star is also kissing her, so he too should be mentioned, no? But the focus is only on the woman. Manusmriti + Victorian culture.

I get asked by unknown men about my dressing. I tell them to ask men showing off their ripped bodies about their dressing. These men think that it's their birthright to control, question, and reprimand women's agency. I say, work on your character building and leave women to decide what they want to wear and do. Get out, you rascals.