R Madhavan defends Maddy in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein amid stalking criticism: 'Men today are afraid to make a move'

Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001), a remake of his Tamil debut Minnale, remains one of Bollywood’s most debated films. While the film has garnered a cult following over the years, thanks to its soulful soundtrack by Harris Jayaraj and the performances of R Madhavan, Dia Mirza, and Saif Ali Khan, it has also been widely criticized for romanticizing problematic themes like stalking. Despite the backlash, Madhavan recently defended his character’s actions, arguing that the film should be viewed in the context of its time.
Madhavan justifies Maddy’s actions
In an interview with IndiaTV, Madhavan addressed the criticisms surrounding his character Madhav Shastri (Maddy) and his persistent pursuit of the female lead. According to him, the film was set in an era before widespread mobile phone usage and social media, making traditional forms of courtship different from today’s standards. “At a time when phones, messages, and social media didn’t exist, how would you contact a girl? What was considered decent? If meeting a girl knowing that she’s there, assuming that it’s a decent way to approach, then my father could be accused of stalking. Anybody could be. If it were a love marriage, there was no other way to get in touch with the other person,” he explained, adding that even sending a letter could be labeled as stalking in today’s climate.
The changing dynamics of love stories
Reflecting on how social interactions have evolved, Madhavan questioned modern avenues for meeting potential partners. “In our village, we had festivals every month because it was an opportunity for social interaction. How do you meet a girl in a city today? You’re not going to meet your life partner in a bar, right? That’s not why you go there,” he remarked. He further elaborated, “For a normal, lower-middle-class guy, where is the opportunity to meet a woman in the most decent way? You either meet them during Ganesh Chaturthi or Holi. So, the occasional festivals we had back then were the only opportunities to meet up.”

Social media and the fear of approaching women
Madhavan also spoke about the challenges of writing a love story in the current social climate, emphasizing how perceptions of courtship have shifted. “All I am saying is, give the boys a chance. Earlier, we used to go to nightclubs. Among 100 guys, two would be immoral—the nastiest of men who gave all of us a bad name by touching girls inappropriately. Then there’d be 10 guys who would have the courage to decently approach women. The remaining 60 percent would remain quiet, too afraid to make a move. Now that figure has reached 90 percent, because they’re all afraid to make a move,” he stated.

While Madhavan’s comments have reignited debates over the portrayal of romance in Bollywood, they also highlight the evolving nature of relationships and courtship in the digital age.