“Koffee with Karan” is making headlines again, and definitely not for the right reasons. The first promotional segment featuring Karan Johar in conversation with Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh has taken the internet by storm. In this segment, Deepika openly discussed her relationships with others, and it seemed like borderline glorification of infidelity, something Ranveer was clearly not impressed with.
But this isn’t about the controversial statements made by the actress or the way these three used a chat show to mimic the Western decadence in their conversations. The problem at hand is the glaring double standard that exists when it comes to such discussions, from both the makers of the Koffee with Karan show and the audience that watches or discusses it.
Why is it that when Deepika speaks candidly about her relationships, some people almost justify it, while similar comments from individuals like Hardik Pandya or Ranbir Kapoor are instantly labeled as ‘problematic’?
Welcome everyone, and today we shall discuss the glaring double standards in these cases and why it is essential to examine why certain individuals face criticism while others seemingly get a free pass.
Koffee with Karan: When Hardik messed it up!
The upcoming season of “Koffee with Karan” is stirring up quite the controversy, and it all started with a clip featuring Deepika Padukone sharing her views on casual dating, her husband and fellow actor Ranveer being present all along. She laid it threadbare, discussing how she casually dated other people before getting into a committed relationship with Ranveer Singh.
🎯
Thats the gameplan
By normalising everything, debauchery is normal. He doesn't have to change for he has changed society.
— Devi Prasad Rao (Modi ka Parivaar) 🇮🇳 (@DeviPrasadRao8) October 27, 2023
Also read: Aarey ‘guardian’ Shraddha Kapoor’s Lamborghini purchase raises eyebrows
Deepika’s candid confession rang out loud and clear during the episode. She said, “There was no ‘commitment’ as such. Even if we were technically allowed to see other people, we would just keep coming back to each other.” Her honesty sparked a frenzy of reactions online. Some fans applauded her for being real, while others didn’t hold back from shaming her for her past choices.
This show has turned into a masterclass in normalizing everything from cheating to commitment phobia to an unhealthy obsession with the mirror and luxury brands!
It's almost depressing how these folks with questionable values have so much influence. #KoffeeWithKaran pic.twitter.com/6ko0C8gz0f
— Akanksha Shandilya (@Youngndharmic) October 27, 2023
This has left social media in a state of division, and it’s pretty obvious why. But let’s rewind our clocks to 2019 when a similar situation unfolded on the Koffee with Karan show. Cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were the guests, and Hardik didn’t mince words about his playboy lifestyle.
But were we all this understanding and open for discussion back then? Not a chance. In fact, most of us were ready to pounce on Hardik, branding his actions as ‘cheap,’ ‘attention-seeking,’ ‘misogynistic,’ and the list of accusations seemed endless.
Koffee with Karan has always created controversy. I still remember KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya incident.
Ranveer Singh anger is justified. Heal soon, king.
Deepika Padukone #DeepikaPadukone #RanveerSingh #KoffeeWithKaran pic.twitter.com/dEXN5QoeUx
— The LOL Sage (@TheLOLSage) October 27, 2023
So, here’s the crux of the matter – why is Deepika’s candid talk on Koffee with Karan deemed acceptable while Hardik’s was not? Is this not hypocrisy in its purest form?
These questions need answers. The disparity in how we react to these scenarios reflects a broader societal issue, one that’s deeply rooted in our perceptions of gender, celebrity status, and personal choices.
The deafening hypocrisy everyone is tight lipped about!
The double standard here is as clear as day. When Deepika opens up about her pre-committed relationship days, some applaud her as a symbol of honesty and empowerment. Yet, when Hardik did the same, he found himself under a barrage of criticism and condemnation. It’s a perplexing contradiction, to say the least.
Deepika added to the intrigue by revealing that she wasn’t initially keen on a committed relationship with Ranveer, and they were cool with seeing other people, igniting curiosity about whether they were caught in a “situationship.”
For those unfamiliar with the term, a situationship refers to a state between a committed relationship and something more than friendship. This concept has garnered attention in recent times and is often likened to an “open relationship.”
But let’s not stop there. When Alia Bhatt spilled the beans about Ranbir Kapoor’s preference for her without heavy makeup, the very so-called intellectuals who champion privacy and consent decided to brand their relationship as toxic.
They went a step further, comparing him to the fictional character ‘Kabir Singh’ and labeling Ranbir Kapoor the mascot of ‘toxic masculinity.’ It makes you wonder if these feminists have ever heard of the concept of not poking your nose into others’ affairs, because I’m sure they didn’t, and even if they knew such a thing, they wouldn’t even try!
The double standard remains strikingly evident. When Deepika shares her personal experiences, she’s celebrated for her openness. When Hardik does the same, he’s met with criticism, and even suspension from the cricket team. Why? It’s a question that demands an answer. Shouldn’t we either be critical of both or not be critical at all? It brings to mind the wise question once asked by Raju, “Ye Bhedbhav Kyun?” (Why this discrimination?)
Why the swift commendation for one individual and the instant condemnation for another? Is it because one is a popular actress while the other is a cricketer? Or is it a classic case of gender bias, where society celebrates a woman’s revelations, no matter how disgusting, and vilifies a man, even if he is not actually guilty of the offense?
These disparities in our reactions to similar situations reflect a broader societal issue. Our perceptions of gender, celebrity status, and personal choices come into play here. It’s high time we peel back the layers of this double standard and engage in a candid conversation about why it persists and how it impacts our society.
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