While calling a woman hot or sexy usually attracts backlash for a man, the case is quite the opposite when a woman terms a man droolworthy or hot. Objectification of men has become a common phenomenon today. TOI exploresOh boy, she sizzles’, ‘Look at those curves, they make me drool’, ‘Wow, she’s hot!’... Now, any of these statements made by a man is considered offensive not just by the opposite sex, but people in general. But consider these statements — ‘He’s put sex back in the sensex’, ‘Look at those abs, they make me drool!’, ‘Oh wow! He’s hot’. Now, when spouted by women, these lines don’t seem offensive anymore. If anything, they seem like compliments! While women are commodified often in commercials and movies, today, it’s not a taboo for the fairer sex to assume the position of the observer. Complimenting a man’s desirability quotient is not frowned upon.Take the current RBI Governor, Raghuram Rajan, for instance, whose appearance created more of a stir than his appointment; or that famous picture of John Abraham in ‘those yellow trunks’, even Milind Soman in the latest after-shave ad — men too are portrayed in a sexual way. And while it is quite common for women to drool over men on screen, the ones off it too aren’t strangers to adulation by girls! And if anything, it acts like a major ego boost for the men.Little wonder then, that a theatre group from Bangalore has come up with a play, 12 Inches, which is a satirical take on objectification of men. “The idea for this play came about because of the conversations we have with our female friends — they’re always like ‘oh my god, look at the pervert checking me out’. They always feel that guys are objectifying them. While there are some perverts who stare at women, not all guys are like that — we do compliment women in a gentlemanly way. In fact, men too are victims of stares and letches,” says writer-director of the play, Chaitanya Warad, adding, “While men get their knuckles rapped for talking about a woman’s physicality, all’s forgiven when a woman does the same — it’s brushed under the carpet. I know from experience that women do talk about a guy’s appearance. However, it’s unfair to put all guys in the same bracket and say they are perverts.”Our city boys too aren’t strangers to stares, letches and even comments, from girls. Syed Rafiuddin Ali, a bank employee, says, “Girls do check us out. There have been so many instances where I’ve walked into a corporate house for business, and have had women looking at me the entire time. At first, I felt shy; embarrassed even. But later, it began to act as an ego boost for me.”Men enjoy the attention because they find it ‘sweet’ and in most cases feel ‘wanted’. “Women are too sweet and nice. Their appreciation is healthy and it doesn’t pose much of a problem. Plus, appreciation of any kind makes you feel good! So whoever’s receiving it should be glad," laughs actor Harshvardhan Rane.