A film that propagates patriarchy like none other; that stars a 'human' who has been speaking rubbish since the very start of the decade; a movie that we all went to watch, irrespective of what our leanings are: SULTAN.
Nobody really went to watch the brilliant storyline of Sultan, we knew what we were going for. But what really hurt me and made me regret my decision was Anushka Sharma. I still remember the gusto with which she had brought her production, NH8 to the box office. Her interviews included issues ranging from women empowerment to equality of pay and opportunity between actors to how she does films which promote women’s cause.
To be honest, I went to watch Sultan with my family but was looking forward to Anushka’s character, Aarfa. And she really enthralled me with her attitude and determination for her passion for wrestling when she declined Salman Khan’s character Sultan’s love. Her sportsman spirit to question and attack the notions regarding women being incapable of being successful sportspersons, moved me. However, I was aghast when I sat witness to a scene where the same Aarfa at a later juncture, gives away her dream of winning at the Olympics because she gets pregnant. And guess what, even her father, who had trained her, questions her and blames her for the “accidental pregnancy” to which Aarfa looks at a jubilant Sultan and says, “What bigger dream can there be than this?”
Are you serious?
Now, when I brought this topic before my colleagues and Salman Khan Fans who also happen to be my friends, their reactions swivelled from “Why are you delving so deep into this, focus on the story of Sultan” to “Women do this all the time” and also “What did you expect her to do? Abort the child?”
Tough questions, tougher challenges of introspection and about the role of women in our lives. My judgement hardly matters, Sultan is probably going to be one of the biggest hits of 2016. But I will still say that Saala Khadoos was a much better, cleaner and deeper take on the field of sports, sportsmanship and role of women.
Par kya kare, Baby ko Bass pasand hai!
