The "Integrity" of Minnale Rajesh

Meet the Johnny Bravo of Indian cinema. In the movie Doctor, SK's mother says, "If she's beautiful, she'd have no brains at all." Although unsavory, based on Real Madhavan's definition of integrity referencing Rajesh's character in Minnale begs the validity of his statement.

Looking back, Madhavan recently said that his character not kissing Reema Sen's character in Minnale is a display of integrity - apparently, he didn't take advantage of her.

This definition of "integrity" is incorrect and harmful, especially given how Rajesh behaves in the rest of the movie. Let's see how.

1. Rajesh stalks Reena (Reema Sen). Is this integrity?
Definitely not. But stalking is so normalized in Indian movies, it's seen as romantic. What's romantic and full of integrity is a consensual kiss, not this type of creepy behavior.

3. Rajesh does take advantage of Reena - her situation.
If Rajesh was a man of integrity, he wouldn't have taken advantage of the fact that her marriage is fixed. Is Madhavan saying that cheating is okay, it's integrity even?


3. Rajesh literally approaches Reena and takes her on dates by faking it as her intended suitor.
Faking identity is a freaking crime. If Reena files a police complaint against Rajesh for posing as Rajiv, he'll be jailed. Look at the genius who directed Rocketry sugarcoating a crime as "opportunistic" behavior.

4. After Reena finds out the truth and refuses to hear him out, he gaslights her, saying that he could've done "everything" with her - and she too would've "cooperated."
Rajesh cheats her by intercepting Rajiv's arrival, assuming the former's identity. Then he makes it looks like it's Reena's fault for trusting him. Seriously? A kiss where Reena is consenting isn't integrity on Rajesh's part and this gaslighting is?

5. Rajesh never apologizes to Reena for cheating her, speaking ill of her, causing her pain, and betraying her.
Integrity isn't not having a consensual kiss. Integrity is apologizing for the wrong Rajesh did her, acknowledging his bad behavior and making it right. 

I know where this skewed definition of integrity comes from. It's driven by the neo Indian culture that sees premarital consensual physical intimacy as something filthy. 
Men stalking, cheating, using another person's identity, and gaslighting are OK - they're excusable, right even. But premarital consensual physical intimacy - a travesty to Indian culture!

Now, some might say that choosing not to kiss Reena is self-control.
That self-control must've been exercised the moment he knew that her marriage is fixed. Did he do that? Did his friends and grandfather tell him that it's wrong to pursue a woman who is going to marry someone else? If Rajesh controlled himself when he learned that Reena wouldn't be interested in him, that's integrity. Not having a consensual kiss after spinning a web of deceit isn't self-control or integrity. And using it against her when she learns the truth? What integrity? 

The man who has integrity in this whole movie is Rajiv Samuel.
No one on Rajesh's side has integrity - his friends, even his grandfather. I wish Rajiv married Reena because he's the one who deserves her, not Rajesh.

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