Macho madness

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What do you do when provoked — lose your temper and throw a punch, or keep your cool and walk away? This has been a hot topic of debate since Bollywood A-listers Saif Ali Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were involved in two very public scuffles recently. If you thought it was cowardly to back down from a fight, think again. Here’s what youngsters really think about getting into a tussle.

There’s nothing cool about a guy getting into a brawl, feels actress Neettoo. “Small issues can be sorted out verbally and there is no need to get violent. Provoked or not, men should keep their temper in check. Celebrities especially, need to be extra careful as they are always in the spotlight. A small scuffle can get blown out of proportion, and it’s not only bad for their image, it sets a poor example for their fans,” says the Sandalwood star.
Far from being impressed, a woman would be embarrassed by her guy’s violent outburst, adds student Neema Thimmaiah. “I certainly wouldn’t be proud if a guy that I was with, got into a fight. It doesn’t matter who started it, I’d walk away,” she says, adding, “There is a fine line between brave and stupid. In my opinion, these guys just need to grow up. All this fighting is best left to the movies.”
According to DJ Ivan, it’s the male ego that gets guys into trouble. “Raising your hand against someone is a display of power. It’s about what you think you can get away with,” he states. “Honestly, I don’t think men like Saif or Shah Rukh need to do anything to impress women. It’s more about showing off to the guys how macho they are. Personally, I believe there is no justification for hitting someone,” he adds.
Actor Vivan Bhatena, however, desists from making any judgemental comments. “When none of us know what really happened, how can we say what’s right or wrong. Celebrities are only human,” he says, but is quick to add, “This doesn’t mean I condone violence. Personally I think the best way to deal with a provocation is to walk away. That way you retain your self respect and the respect of others.”
The next time you’re in a bad situation, think twice before you raise a hand. You’ll realise, it’s not worth it after all.