"The feminists who spoke against Ettan better know this. Kerala is yet to see the real ‘quotation’ (criminal contract). If Dileepettan really wants, you will be reduced into a sex clip on the phones of men," read a post by a Facebook page named 'Loser's Media', hours after Malayalam actor Dileep was released on bail two days ago.
Never mind that the actor they are supposedly supporting is accused of plotting the abduction and sexual assault of a woman actor – and also giving instructions to videograph the incident. Or was that a deliberate threat to say this is the fate that awaits women who go against the actor they claim to be fans of?
The post by the vitriolic Facebook page was accompanied by a photograph of an angry-looking Dileep, with the text: "He is back. Tell them I am back. With more mass!"
The post by Loser’s Media (oh, the irony) page that claims to be run by Dileep fan club members, has been deemed derogatory not just by many social media users but has also forced actor Rima Kallingal to speak up.
Slamming the sexist and derogatory post by the page, Kallingal took to Facebook to say that the woman survivor had sent her a screenshot of the post.
We as a society need to tell my friend and the world that 100 people who distribute sweets outside the jail and copy paste from fake profiles like cowards are not the real men of our society. These are not the men we want to be friends with, fall in love with, spend our lives with, enjoy a drink with, celebrate with, and trust with all our hearts.Rima Kallingal, Actor
Kallingal sought to redefine what is considered macho by the masses with her post. Saying that "not all men should be shamed for the acts of a few," she said that women should stand with "the real men of this state."
Along with the post, Kallingal used the hashtag #Nallavanoppam (with the good man). While social media users had floated #Avalkkoppam (with her) to show their support to the woman survivor, director Laljose had used #Avanodoppam (with him) to show his support for Dileep.
It is time we save our real men from the kind who spew expletives on a woman and make her take down a pulimurugan review and bring shame to Mohanlal and all the real men out there. Save them from the kind who make Lichi cry ‘on live’ and bring shame to Mammooty and all the real men out there. From the kind who Post a Facebook message like this and spread the message that Dileep indeed has given the quotation and is capable of much more, when he might actually just want to reflect on his life after 85 days in jail.Save our real men and a younger generation from the belief that this is machoism and heroism. Save them from looking like idiots cos they are clubbed with these brainless dimwits.
(This article was originally posted on The News Minute)
(Breathe In, Breathe Out: Are you finding it tough to breathe polluted air? Join hands with FIT in partnership with #MyRightToBreathe to find a solution to pollution. Send in your suggestions to fit@thequint.com or WhatsApp @ +919999008335)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)