If you think Akshay Kumar’s Raksha Bandhan is regressive, Aanand L Rai has something to say to you

Generally when two films starring Bollywood superstars releases on the same day, one tends to do better than the other. Surprisingly, that didn’t happen on Rakhi this year when Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha clashed with Akshay Kumar starrer Raksha Bandhan . While Aamir’s remake of Forrest Gump fell prey to the boycott trend, Akshay and Aanand L Rai ’s family comedy drama was described as un-feminist and problematic. All in all, many felt that the film which addresses social evil dowry was ‘regressive’.

Well, in a recent chat with News18, the director came out in defense of his film. He was quoted saying, “You can’t ignore this. I know, we should be very progressive, we are in many ways. But there are many things that need to be taken care of and you can’t shut your eyes off. Not talking about it will not give you a solution. As a maker, I can’t write articles, I can’t make documentaries. My only way of expressing myself is through films. So, if you feel there is something regressive about this, that means there is time to correct our society.”

He went on to explain that if the audience feels his film Raksha Bandhan is regressive, it means that the intention of the makers was to bring focus on the topic. Rai further added, “Let’s not ignore it, let’s deal with it. So next time when I make a film, you’ll not find that kind of regression.” Now that’s a hard-hitting message for the people of our society. Something to sit back and think about maybe?

Also starring Bhumi Pednekar and Sadia Khateeb, Raksha Bandhan marks Akshay Kumar and Aanand L Rai’s reunion after Atrangi Re, which featured Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush. In your opinion, was Raksha Bandhan regressive or was it a good attempt at shedding light on the culture of paying dowry?