Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Recent footage of her coming out of an airport had comments preaching karma and its cruel ways, that Samantha "deserved her illness" because she filed for divorce.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu fell from being the public’s sweetheart to a villain overnight because she filed for divorce. The actress was struck with myositis post divorce, much to the joy of certain groups (read sexist) in our society.
A troll responded to Samantha’s tweet, “Women Rising!!” by adding to it “just to fall”. She replied, “Getting back up makes it all the more sweeter, my friend.”
Here’s another insensitive tweet by BuzZ Basket showing fake concern for her autoimmune disease. “Feeling sad for Samantha, she lost all her charm and glow. When everyone thought she came out of divorce strongly and her professional life was seeing heights, myositis hit her badly, making her weak again.” Samantha responded, “I pray you never have to go through months of treatment and medication like I did. And here’s some love from me to add to your glow.”
I’ve been seeing similar comments ever since Samantha makes that necessary public appearance, be it for her movie promotions or simply catching a flight. There was recent footage of her coming out of an airport, which had a barrage of comments preaching karma and its cruel ways. These people were not even being subtle about it. The ‘loud and clear’ message is that Samantha deserved her illness because she filed for divorce.
We’re in 2023, where divorce may be legal, but it’s apparently not acceptable when the woman parts ways with her spouse.
The film industry is rife with divorce. It’s acceptable when its men initiate the divorce. It can even make them seem sexier and more desirable, like actors Nagarjuna, Samantha’s ex father-in-law and Venkatesh. The divorce didn’t affect their popularity and fan base. Instead, it soared after their divorce.
Then why is Samantha being singled out and trolled for her disease aka karma?
We still think it’s the woman’s sole responsibility to uphold the institution of marriage. So, when men threaten to divorce their wives and act upon it, you won’t find these karma-shitting trolls anywhere in sight. And if they do, they’ll sympathise with the man and call their ex-wives as gold-diggers or not ‘marriage-material’. We almost glorify the men for dating younger women. We have so many examples from Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, who’re seen as the gold standard of success on all fronts of life.
The onus of all traditional institutions and customs lies solely upon the shoulders of a woman. A man can fly to whomever he wants and whenever he wants, with no judgement whatsoever. And if he’s a successful man, people will kiss the ground he walks on. He’ll be considered a highly motivational and inspiring figure. And if he falls sick, they’ll sympathise with him. And oh, there’ll be no talk of karma and other such esoteric philosophies.
A man can abandon and file for divorce for the flimsiest of reasons. But how dare a woman do so? Surely, her karma will catch up.
I don’t mind if men aren’t judged for initiating divorce, but why are we harassing women for the same thing?
Diseases and illnesses don’t distinguish and happen to everyone, karma notwithstanding. This mindset of viewing sickness as bad karma can hold back some people from coming out and receiving the right treatment in time – for the fear of judgement.
Why is it hard to be kind to people battling an illness? Even if Samantha divorced her husband, what has she done to us – for us to be so apathetic and venomous-in her lowest phase?
If this is our reaction for a celebrity who filed for divorce, imagine the hell – harsh judgments or indecent sexual propositions – ordinary women have to go through every day for their divorced status. Our heartless reactions make it even more disgraceful when they’re struck with an illness.
If Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s myositis is because of her bad karma, what’s going to be ours for our sadistic reactions?
Author, poet, and marketer, know more about Tina Sequeira here: www.thetinaedit.com read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
Please enter your email address