Why child molestation?

I have no idea if child molestation was an issue in India at the time of filming this, but my guess is that it was a random choice. I mean, no matter where you are (west or east) it's an issue that makes people feel uneasy, and adds some kind of dramatic element.

if you take it in a metaphorical sense it probably has a lot to do with the British 'rape' of India. That is if you are viewing Monsoon Wedding as a postcolonial text.

Other possibilities such as accident, illness, natural calamity, crime or such would not have the incredible emotional stakes that this plot line had. Most particularly for Ria and Mr. Verma, both confronting deep fears and emotions, calling on extreme courage, but very much for the others as well. The realization of this horror done by one of their own, one who has done so much for others, and to whom the central family owes so much, is wrenching to the whole circle of family and friends. Sadly, it is certainly not an unlikely story point. As others have pointed out, there are greater historical metaphors to this as well. Do you object to this aspect of the story? I wonder why, if so. It is certainly disturbing, but not at all wrong for the movie, I feel. What a beautiful movie, in any case.

I think what was important was that this was a secret shame that Ria had to bear. She suffered all those years and had to watch the perpetrator treated like a family benefactor.

This was also something the she couldn't prove. There were no physical scars, there was no visible damage. And Lalit had to decide whose word to trust: Ria or Tej uncle. The family may have owed a lot to Tej uncle, but Ria as he says, is his family. And in the end you have to stand by, and support, your family.

cultural comment

it is an example (extreme example) of bad things that can happen in an indian family.. child molestation isn't much of an regular issue in india but it prevails here as in other parts of the world.. indians .. esp the elder generation have a feeling that we are immune from all these evils coz of the family s/m. thats what mira is intending to unveil... its a critique to the puritan hypocrisy many indians have that in india these things wont happen like in other countries.

and gosh natural calamity cant make social critique.

One way to look at is from the theme or the subject of the movie. Which is love or sexuality(Depends on the point of view) All the plots and subplots are about love. Different kinds of love. Love in different class/caste of the society. Older women talked about their sexual experience with their husbands. Even Mr.Verma & Mrs.Verma, have not made love in long time. And, Pedophilia is sick, twisted form of love/sex and that's what the movie addressed.

In beginning scenes, the movies debates censorship and a porn actress voice-enacted a sexual intercourse. I guess the filmmakers are saying more censorship will only makes pedophilia and other forms of sexual abuse to be brushed under the carpet in India.

So sexuality of modern India is addressed openly in this movie. I think they even allude that their young son might be gay. Having said that, there as no pressing debate about pedophilia in India during the time this movie came out.

PS: For non-Indian audience. In India a "non-vegetarian joke" means a dirty joke. Specifically a sexual joke. And older man tries to tell a non-vegetarian joke but gets cut-off by others. So sex as a subject weaved in to the movie.

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It was clearly copying the Danish movie Festen.