I used to be mad about movies.

Especially the syrupy-sweet romantic ones.

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I was fresh out of school waiting to start college when Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak hit the theatres. I watched it five times. It put stars in my eyes.

Two years later, Maine Pyar Kiya released. I watched it at least eight times. That one really did a number on me.

As time went by, Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge released. I totally identified with Simran (played by Kajol), with her no-nonsense ways. And the fact that someone could love her despite her gruff ways gave me hope.

It took a few more of these films to bring me to my senses.

Now, I am on this crusade: ban mush in movies!

I think women ought to start a movement to end mushiness in movies. Unsuspecting little girls everywhere are exposed to these movies which fill their heads, make them believe that romance exists. 

How old were you when you watched Veeru (Dharmendra) climb the water tower in Sholay and threaten to kill himself if Basanti didn't marry him? Or when you witnessed the rich, handsome Prem (Salman Khan) in Maine Pyaar Kiya give up all his wealth and comfort to work at a construction site for his Suman (Bhagyashree)?

We don't quite expect such radical behaviour. But the problem is the message: that men would climb every mountain and swim every sea to be with women. 

When Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge waits with Simran for the moon to appear on karva- chauth, he suddenly says, "There's the moon." She looks up to where he is pointing and finds herself staring at her own reflection in a mirror.

I, for one, want to shake all those fluttering hearts in the audience and scream, "They only say this in movies."

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My problem is the hope that people carry into their own relationships. And BOOM! The bubble bursts. Unlike Jai (Fardeen Khan) in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, who searches for his wife's smile all over the house when she is upset, most (real) men I know would ignore the fact that their wives are upset and hope like hell that whatever it is will pass (hopefully without a discussion).

I can see many men join this crusade against deceitful mush in movies. After all, it is the poor guys whom women expect all this from. Women expect men to do things they are not genetically engineered to do. Like remembering your birthday (the day the woman they love was born) or your anniversary (the day you both swore to be together forever).

If they stopped making mushy movies, young girls would no longer be exposed to passionate monologues or heartfelt speeches from men. Women would be perfectly happy reminding men about anniversaries and birthdays. Women would automatically assume that if a man is with you, it means he loves you. Relationships everywhere would be happy, without the burden of expectations. 

So fight the fight! Down with chick flicks!

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