Good girls finish last

It's taken 68 years of dithering for the world's most popular redhead toon Archie Andrews to finally pop the question to ravenhaired heiress Veronica Lodge. Even as girlnext-door Betty Cooper wipes away copious tears and fans cry foul at Archie's misjudgment ��� it's perhaps time to discard our cherubic notions of romance and welcome the new creed of Veronicas who're redefining the term 'bad girl' with a vengeance!
Filmmaker Onir, says, "Let's face it, all men desire a glamorous, rich, assertive woman by their side! It's a valuable add on to a man's ego if his partner's a perfect trophy wife.In a way, Archie choosing richie-rich Veronica over Miss Goody two shoes Betty is a statement of a changing urban male mindscape where now men prefer these so-called 'bad girls.'"
Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany says of the shift in the laws of attraction, "For years, women have been tainted for falling for the bad boys, but today men are opting for bad gals too. They want a dominating partner who lives by her own rules, rather than a submissive Plain Jane. With most men following a herd instinct, they want to be seen with a woman who they can show off to the world."
The moral dilemma involved in opting for Miss Right Now, instead of waiting endlessly for Miss Right, is also not as scathing as it used to be years ago. Blogger Raja Sen echoes the transforming mindset in his reaction to Archie's decision, "He's for once, gotten it absolutely right. Archie's gone with the girl he wants, not the one everyone thinks he should end up with. He's gone with the girl who drives him crazy, the one who causes far more crimson heart-shapes to pop up in his head and eyes, and the one he truly, madly loves ��� for better or worse." He adds, "Betty's boring, predictable and kinda pathetic in the way she moons for a guy... Without a bratty Ronnie to bark unreasonable orders at Arch, Betty's just far too blah ��� sorry, Marylin, but some blondes aren't worth all the fun!"
Besides flexible gender rules, another factor in our increasing acceptance of Veronica prototypes, claims actress Pooja Bedi lies in the changing social canvas. "Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander was a desi version of the Archies family," claims Bedi who played the neighborhood 'rich bitch', a la Veronica in the '80s cult hit. "Men have always had flings with glamorous women. They've just been intimidated to marry them, thanks to familial pressures and the need to conform to a traditional mould of domesticity. But today with most men living in nuclear set-ups in different cities, they have no qualms about marrying someone who brings physical, mental and emotional excitement into their conjugal lives. Urban men want their partners to ooze sex appeal and be adventurous. Bringing home a Veronica isn't taboo. She's no longer the ultimate male pin-up; she's moved on from fantasy to real life," adds Bedi. Soaring economic independence of women coupled with heightened physical fitness has forged a new definition of femme self-consciousness. Chick lit author Advaita Kala believes, "The gender lines are getting blurred as society moves towards a more machoistic, androgynous entity. With women donning male roles ��� there's a sense of heightened confidence in female sexuality. Today, it's more fun being a 'Veronica'. She's more aspirational and in control of her own destiny."
Film critic Anupama Chopra also points out to films like Fashion, Dev D and Life In A Metro that demystify the appeal of the virginal female prototype. "In Dev D, Paro carrying the mattress for a night of sexual abandon or Priyanka Chopra sleeping with a married man in Fashion to climb the ladder of success are pointers that even heroines are now no longer chaste, pativrata role models. The stereotypical Bollywood black and white's been replaced with grey female characters who're in control of their own sexuality."
Yet, one can't deny the innate double standards that prevail in our popular culture. Who can forget Rahul Mahajan on Big Boss falling hook, line and sinker for the docile, eye-lash batting Monika Bedi over the brash Payal Rohatgi. "Indian society is riddled with double standards. Big Boss was a reality game show where Rahul was playing a game. But, he didn't end up marrying Monika now, did he?" Payal scoffs!
As the battle between the sexes turns into a war bebetween good versus bad girls ��� is it time then to rephrase the popular 'good girls go to heaven' adage? Socialite Nisha Jamwal who was likened to Veronica throughout her childhood says, "My farewell gift in college was a Veronica cutout. The age of the docile, sacrificial push-over Betty is pass��. The chic, tempestuous, stimulating Veronica is someone who can hold on to her man. She adds a dash of competitive excitement to the relationship power play. Her constant evolution adds sizzle." As bad girls have all the fun, it's wait and watch till the final verdict comes along!