Bhumi Pednekar defends stalking in 'Hans Mat Pagli' song from Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

Akshay Kumar’s upcoming Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was so far in the good books as it addresses the traditional evil of open defecation in India. However, the film has come under some criticism recently after one of its songs picturized the male lead stalking his female counterpart. Given that women's safety is still a grave issue in the country, 'Hans Mat Pagli' has Keshav (Akshay Kumar) stalking Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar) in public transport, chasing her on streets, and even filming her on his mobile in public.

The song made many see red as it was read to be encouraging eve teasing. Amidst the hullabaloo, Pednekar has come up to defend the song with a rather bizarre justification. 

“I agree, but in the second part of the song, she is doing the same thing. There is a lot that happens around the story. Had this been an important aspect of the story, where he has become an obsessive lover, threatening her (then it’s a different thing), he isn’t mentally harassing the girl,” Pednekar told Press Trust of India.

Without giving much away, Pednekar defended her film saying that it is just not the guy, but the girl too who follows the boy in the other version. That is equally wrong and when reminded about that, Pednekar came up with rather bizarre reply: "It is only stalking till the other person is objecting to it. If I am following you around or mentally harassing you, then it’s stalking. But if I am not objecting to it, then how’s it stalking?” she asks.

Pednekar has requested to wait until the release of the film. According to her, only viewing the film will explain the importance of these sequences.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is set to be released on 11 August. 

Watch the controversial song here: