The films we love can also teach us what to cheer for. Some popular Hindi films frame possessiveness, anger, stalking, and self destruction as signs of deep love or justified pain. The following are five popular films that many audiences have found thrilling but which, in some instances, also celebrate toxic masculinity.
Animal (2023)
Animal is a violent family drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The movie is about Ranvijay who is growing up with deep anger because of a troubled childhood. Ranbir turns cruel when his father or the family is threatened and employs extreme violence to defend or revenge them. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as the central character, with Rashmika Mandanna and Anil Kapoor in major roles.
Animal frames violent anger and revenge as an appropriate means of expressing love and loyalty. The anger of the male lead is presented as heroic and justified, while the female characters often exist mainly to support his emotional arc. This presentation of films can make violent, controlling behaviour look attractive or justified.
Kabir Singh (2019)
Kabir Singh, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, is about a brilliant young surgeon named Kabir. Kabir becomes self destructive after losing his girlfriend to a forced marriage. He is a drunkard, a violent person, and he attempts to control or punish the woman he loved. Shahid Kapoor plays Kabir and Kiara Advani plays the female lead. The movie attracted massive box office and publicity to its hardcore central acting and music.
The film repeatedly links Kabir’s possessive, abusive behaviour to his passion. His manipulative behavior and domination are depicted as a symptom of intense love rather than destructive decisions. Critics and many viewers argued that this romanticization of films makes abusive attitudes look acceptable or even desirable.
Raanjhanaa (2013)
Raanjhanaa is a romantic drama directed by Aanand L. Rai. It tells the story of Kundan, a young man from Varanasi who falls in love with Zoya. Kundan is obsessed with love and is willing to go to extreme lengths to win or influence the life of his love. It is a movie of Dhanush as Kundan and Sonam Kapoor as the lead actress with good supporting roles of Abhay Deol and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. The film is still remembered for its outstanding music and emotional storytelling.
Raanjhanaa often shows stalking, relentless pursuit, and emotional pressure as romantic persistence. Over time viewers and even some of the cast have said parts of the films are problematic because they normalize obsessive behaviour and make it feel like an indication of true love instead of having crossed the boundary.
Tere Ishk Mein (2025)
Tere Ishk Mein is a 2025 romantic drama by Aanand L. Rai. The film follows Shankar and Mukti, whose relationship begins in complex ways while she studies him for a PhD. Shankar becomes an Indian Air Force officer when Mukti breaks up with her and proceeds to live her life. Years later they meet again and unresolved feelings surface as both characters confront their past. The film is played by Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in the lead roles, and it includes great music and lengthy form romantic narration.
Although the film explores time and change, but it also relies on the old cliché of granting the male character a long period of suffering and pursuit and explaining the independence of the woman.
Aashiqui 2 (2013)
Aashiqui 2 is a musical romantic drama directed by Mohit Suri. It is the story of Rahul, a former popular singer who loses his popularity to alcoholism, and Aarohi, a young singer who is talented and whom he discovers and takes to fame. Rahul and Aarohi fall in love, but Rahul’s personal demons, possessiveness, and self destruction create tragedy. The film stars Aditya Roy Kapur as Rahul and Shraddha Kapoor as Aarohi. The songs and the strong chemistry were much acclaimed and the film was a massive success.
Aashiqui 2 ties romantic love to sacrifice, control, and ruin. Rahul’s possessiveness and self destructive choices are shown with deep emotional weight that can romanticize the idea that a man must break down or suffer for love. Films like this can convey the message that destructive behaviour is a normal indication of devotion rather than a problem that needs help.
Also Read | 5 Underrated Indian Films That Deserve More Love
