Ram has a logic to why men shouldn’t be too emotional
Arecent ad by an international razor company created uproar online as it emphasised on why men should do the right thing and set an example for young boys but some people felt it emasculated men. Talking about whether we should let boys be boys, actor Ram Kapoor says, “I say let men be men. I feel there is logic and rationale to why men should not be too emotional and why they need to be always strong because, in the olden days, the man played the role of a protector of his family. Men used to be conditioned so that they could be strong for their family. I still believe in that. If a man is not strong and is openly expressing his emotions, while it might have its benefits, he might not be able to fulfil his role as the protector of the family.” The actor points out that there is also a debate about toxic masculinity, which says that it is bad not just for women but also for men and boys, who are told to not show emotions. Ram says, “The discussion on toxic masculinity has come about because somewhere along the way, especially in India, men have stopped respecting women and that should be abolished. This kind of behaviour has led to debates about toxic masculinity.”
Ram feels the real issue should be about: “Why don’t Indian men respect the women in this country?” He says, “If a man really respects women, really looks up to women, and if he’s a man’s man, then I don’t see a problem. And nobody would consider it toxic masculinity.”
In the wake of the #MeToo movement in India, people feel that men have become more sensitive in their approach towards women, but Ram says he hasn’t changed. “Only those kind of men who might have a tendency to or are capable of doing it (abusing power) are scared of women. I am still the same with all my co-stars.”