Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh: India's Lonely Young Women and the Search for Intimacy and Independence

by Shrayana Bhattacharya

‘I am sure you have many boyfriends,’ Varun interrupted, snapping me out of my sociological reverie. As if everyone hadn’t already heard his ‘banter’, he repeated his remark for his sister’s benefit. ‘I am sure your friend has had many boyfriends,’ he said to her, a grin spreading across his handsome face. Vibha started to say something, but Varun suddenly raised his voice: ‘Keep quiet! The grown-ups are talking.’ She was stunned into muteness, scared of her younger brother. Varun had shouted at his sister louder than any man I’d heard before. Vibha’s father was nowhere to be seen, her mother was a grim-faced spectator. Both women were trembling. Varun’s gaze returned to me. ‘You know,’ he said, his face twisted with contempt, ‘here in Haryana, we have a saying about men and women. And about their boyfriends and girlfriends. A key which can open many locks is a great key. But a lock which has been opened by many keys is a bad lock.’ The sexual metaphor was sharp and clear.