In a surprising turn of events, Indian film producer Rhea Kapoor recently took to Instagram to publicly support actress Blake Lively amidst a wave of criticism regarding her promotional tactics for the upcoming film “It Ends With Us.” Social media platforms have seen an explosion of mixed reactions from fans and industry insiders alike, and Kapoor’s comments have only served to intensify the discourse.
Blake Lively is currently facing significant backlash for her perceived mishandling of the press tour for “It Ends With Us,” a film rooted in the harrowing themes of domestic violence. Critics argue that Lively has been trivializing the film’s sombre subject matter by focusing her promotional efforts on light-hearted topics and integrating her personal business ventures, thereby overshadowing the film’s core message. This has led many to accuse her of downplaying the seriousness of domestic violence, a charge that has cast a shadow over both her professional and personal reputation.
In the midst of this controversy, Rhea Kapoor stepped in with a robust defence of Lively. Commenting on one of Lively’s Instagram posts, Kapoor wrote, “The commentary on the marketing of the film is so sad. More power to Blake, Colleen and the producers for promoting the crap out of this movie. As a filmmaker, we know how difficult it is to bring real women’s stories into the mainstream and share them with as many people as possible. Celebrate women that we see every day that have been through this and come out stronger and embrace their light. Normalize telling their stories instead of throwing them into a box. You want to shame the actress for wearing pretty dresses for the press tour instead? What was she supposed to do? Hide at home in sweats? A great way to ensure even fewer of these stories are told. And so what if she promoted her brand? She’s a businesswoman and she’s doing press. God, how judgmental. Are. We.
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Kapoor’s comments didn’t stop there—she went on to applaud Blake for choosing to spotlight a domestic violence narrative, highlighting the film’s box office success with a reported opening of $40 million.
However, the reaction on Reddit to Kapoor’s defence has been predominantly negative. One user shared extensive background information on the controversy, framing Blake as promoting the film more like a romantic-comedy than a drama centered on domestic violence. The user pointed out Lively’s simultaneous promotion of her personal hair care and alcohol brands, as well as employing a PR strategy that seemingly focuses on her marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds rather than the film’s central issue. The user also mentioned rumored tensions between Lively and her co-star and director Justin Baldoni, which have involved allegations of body-shaming and inappropriate behavior.
Another Redditor questioned Lively’s approach to her promotional duties, writing, “She is getting a lot of flak for her attitude to the movie. Why star in a movie about DV if you are going to treat and promote it without the seriousness of the subject matter it deals with? With an alcohol brand no less? It’s ‘oh domestic violence, abuse and assault? Well, at least you have one less worry with my shampoo line which will guarantee great hair days even when something traumatic happens’ like attitude which people are bashing her for.”
The criticism extended beyond her promotional approach, touching upon personal choices that have haunted Lively’s public image. One user referenced her controversial decision to get married on a Southern plantation, a site steeped in the brutal legacy of slavery, sarcastically labeling her as “plantation barbie” and suggesting that her privileged upbringing has left her disconnected from the realities of the world.
The negativity also engulfed Rhea Kapoor, with many lambasting her for defending Lively. One commenter cynically asked, “Why is it always a Kapoor? Does she think she will get noticed by Ryan & Blake and then Sonam will invite them to dinner?” Another person noted, “Women like Rhea and Blake come from privilege. They have no idea how the actual world works.”
Public figures often face the challenge of balancing personal branding and marketing with sensitive subject matters, and the example of Blake Lively with “It Ends With Us” serves as a complex case study. Rhea Kapoor’s defense added a layer of nuance to the discussion but was met with a significant share of criticism itself. As the debate continues, one point is clear: both Lively and Kapoor have provoked a rich dialogue on how stories involving serious issues like domestic violence should be handled and promoted in the entertainment industry.
