The portrayal of women chased and harassed by spurned lovers in south Indian films has made stalking a "cool, romantic thing to do", activists said yesterday, urging the film industry to stop glorifying a crime that has resulted in violent deaths. "Tamil films routinely promote stalking as an acceptable, even preferred way, of wooing a woman," drama researcher Iswarya V stated in an online petition that is gathering support from movie-goers, activists and a few actors."These films continually reinforce the message that stalkers will be rewarded for their persistence. It also denies women the right to say 'no' to their stalker."Nearly four out of five women in India have faced public harassment. The Indian government recently brought in tougher penalties for gender crimes, which included stalking and voyeurism."But our cinema has normalised and encourages this impunity," said Kirthi Jayakumar, founder of the Red Elephant Foundation that promotes gender equality. ..