Sylvie 
This Valentine’s Day in Mumbai, it’s crucial to rethink love as portrayed in Bollywood! Our beloved cinema often glamorizes relationships filled with toxic traits, but we must learn to distinguish reel from real. Here are five Bollywood-inspired toxic tropes that you should avoid this Valentine’s Day.
1. Kabir Singh’s Obsession
The film portrayed obsession as passion, but in real life, such possessiveness is unhealthy and dangerous. True love respects boundaries and individuality.
2. Shankar’s Use of Violence
Some movies wrongly equate violence like petrol bombs with intense love or heroism. Using aggression to express love is a big red flag and shouldn’t be celebrated.
3. The Manipulative Hero
Bollywood sometimes shows controlling a partner’s choices as a sign of care. However, it is actually a sign of toxicity in any relationship.
4. Women Sacrificing Their Dreams
This outdated trope suggests that a woman must give up her dreams for love, which undermines equality and self-respect.
5. Love as an All-Consuming Force
The portrayal of love that excuses bad behavior is misleading. Real love uplifts and supports growth, not excuses harm.
On this Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate love that empowers, respects, and uplifts—unlike the toxic tropes we often see on screen. Remember, love should be healthy and respectful, not obsessive or controlling.
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