11 Characters That You Didn't Realise Were Actually Very Toxic

Movies have always been our escape from the real world, with the irrevocable love, strong friendships, and popcorn-worthy drama, giving us a fun time and often, goals. We also know the extent of how much Bollywood movies have shaped our thinking, and have made us the die-hard romantics that we are today. But, as we looked at all our favourite characters from rose coloured glasses, we failed to recognise that some of them were actually toxic! Now, as much as we might admire them otherwise, as woke citizens, we must call them out! So, here’s a list!

1. Kabir From Kabir Singh

Picture Credits: imdb

Now this one barely comes as a surprise. Kabir Singh was constantly in the headlines for romanticising toxic masculinity. Although, it was a testament to Shahid’s acting prowess for playing such a twisted character, yet, Kabir Singh is not one to be glorified. His character was abusive and insensitive and literally controlled Preeti’s every move. (for example - ‘Preeti Chunni Theek Karo’, BRUH?!) Stop calling that love, Bollywood!

2. Noah Calhoun From The Notebook

As much as it pains our heart to add a character played by the dreamy Ryan Gosling to this list, the entire relationship between Noah and Allie was pretty toxic, so, no, the lead couple from the super popular ‘The Notebook’ were not goals! Noah literally threatened to kill himself if Allie didn’t agree to go on a date with him… welp. The two fought all the time, screamed at each other (Allie even physically shoves Noah) and not to mention Allie cheated on poor Lon. So, well, if that was the greatest love story of all time for us, what does that say about us?!

3. Gautam From Cocktail

Picture Credits: imdb

All of us desi kids love to shake a leg at ‘Daru Desi’ and ‘Tum Hi Ho Bandhu’ from the movie Cocktail. But, do you also realise that the lead character Gautam was literally that player against whom our besties keep warning us? He was a party boy, who just wanted to have fun, and dated Veronica because she was ‘uncomplicated’, that is she was a ‘modern girl’ who was so similar to him! Yet, ULTIMATELY, he falls in love with the typical ‘sanskari’ girl like a typical misogynistic man. Talk about double standards!

4. Albus Dumbledore From Harry Potter Series

Picture Credits: harrypotterfilm

Now, this could be sorta controversial and trust us, we were also the kids who were VERY sad when Dumbledore died, but hear us out. Some of the things that this great wizard did were actually sorta toxic, like how he just used all the people around him as puppets, all for his master plan. (Which was noble, yes, but still) He also never really told Harry everything, and often left him clueless, including about both their deaths! Appears like he was just manipulating Harry and everyone else for his purpose. Oh, also, he was bad at his job of keeping the children at Hogwarts safe!

5. Rahul From Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Picture Credits: DharmaMovies

Oh, dear Rahul! While we all are die-hard fans of lover boy Shahrukh, but we just cannot get over the fact that he mocks Anjali for being a ‘tomboy’, says things like ‘Basketball is not for women’, and falls in love with someone glamorous and pretty, forgetting all about Anjali. Until one fine day, he wakes up and realises that now, Anjali in a saree is suddenly attractive and breaks up her marriage. Why, Lord, why?!

6. Robin Scherbatsky From How I Met Your Mother 

How I Met Your Mother is a hugely loved show, and like, everyone loves Robin. But, she doesn’t come without her share of problems, that only start at being mean to the overweight, nice girl, Patrice! She also didn’t plan to get married or have children, but that didn’t stop her from leading Ted on, and agreed to date him/ hook up with him even when the relationship wasn’t going anywhere! She also was jealous of Ted’s other girlfriends, while she didn’t love him, and manipulated Barney to leave Nora, while she didn't leave Kevin. Toxic much?

7. Rose From Titanic 

The greatest love story of our time or not, Titanic was not really practical. For instance, their relationship only lasted 2 days, and it had a pretty bad foundation with all the cheating in the mix. Also, Rose was high maintenance and sorta arrogant in the beginning, and she also let herself be pushed over by her mum & fiancé. Even in the end, she rather chose to fake die than stand up for herself. Do not even get us started on the theories of how she could’ve probably saved Jack, by sharing the float or well, defending and saving him from getting arrested, so he could’ve taken a life jacket/boat!

8. Tanu From Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Picture Credits: zee5

Well, here’s your break from toxic masculinity. Let’s jump right into the toxic femininity shown in Tanu Weds Manu Returns, yeah? Although this movie was extremely well received and undeniably humorous at times, there are some problematic things like the way Tanu dealt with and handles her relationships, that we cannot let slide! She got her husband DETAINED in a mental asylum, and yet was possessive when she couldn’t see her husband happy with someone else even though they obviously weren’t working out, crashes his marriage and insults the new bride! Wow! 

9. Maddy From Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein

Picture Credits: imdb

While everyone loved Maddy, played by the 90s heartthrob R Madhavan, it’s no secret that his character was, ahem, toxic, and not the innocent lover boy everyone made him out to be! He fell in ‘love’ after watching the heroine dance in rain, stalks her at a friend’s wedding (takes pictures of her, drinks from the glass she discards and brings it home), follows her around, pretends to be her fiance, beats her fiance, can’t take a no, yells like a maniac - OOF, and so much more! How did we all end up romanticising it?!

 10. Chulbul Pandey From Dabangg

Picture Credits: imdb

While the exaggerated character of Chulbul Pandey played by Salman Khan was supposed to be a comic spectacle, yet, we can’t ignore the fact that it also reinforces toxic masculinity and misogyny. He puts Rajjo’s dad in jail because he wants to meet her once again. He also walks in while she’s mourning her father’s death after his suicide and tells people not to grieve as it’s time for Rajjo to celebrate her new life with him. On top of that, he also INTRODUCES himself to her after their marriage. Need we say anymore?

11. Bunny From Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani

Picture Credits: DharmaMovies

To all those jo ‘Udna chahte hai, dodhna chahte hai, girrna chahte hai, bas rukkna nahi chahte,’ we absolutely hate to break it to you, that while your dreams may be noble, your inspiration is not all that innocent! Of course, the determination with which cutie pie Ranbir Kapoor, aka Bunny ran towards his goals was inspirational, but have you ever heard, ‘if someone truly cares, they’ll make time?’ You literally don’t have to make all your relationships collateral damage in the pursuit of your dreams! Also, while like all happy endings, Bunny & Naina got together, but what about their problems? How are they going to manage? Seems a little too dreamy and impractical to be true! Also, a subtle reminder that toxic possessiveness should not be glorified. Fine, we’ll stop now. 

Shocked? Mind Blown? Called It? Let us know what you think! Also, are there any more toxic characters you’d like to bring to light?