Actor and member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Vani Tripathi Tikoo has criticised Shahid Kapoor’s latest release Kabir Singh for being “a terribly misogynistic and extremely violent film”.
Directed by Sandeep Vanga, Kabir Singh is a near frame-by-frame remake of 2017 Telugu hit Arjun Reddy. Audiences have been divided in their opinion about their film, with some calling out its blatantly sexist and patriarchal tone and others dismissing it as an entertainer with a flawed protagonist. Referring to similar criticism that arose after the original, Vani said, “Arjun Reddy was bad enough and now this remake! Am I surprised it’s doing well...well well!”
Vani also slammed Shahid Kapoor, who plays the titular character, a doctor whose brash, violent behaviour, misogyny, alcoholism and drug use go unchecked. She argued that by choosing such a role, Shahid was leading by example and could adversely influence an audience who looks up to film stars and characters in pop culture.
“I find it baffling that ‘Big Stars’ make these choices who actually lead by example! Can we remember how movie characters are idolised?” she tweeted. “There is never a wrong or a right it's the choices that you make on screen to portray is what defines who you are! A character is only a piece of written paper if not enlivened by an actor!” she added.
Singer Sona Mohapatra has also criticised Shahid Kapoor for his role in Kabir Singh and similarly argued that he has a social responsibility as an actor. “How can we keep such deeply disturbing, dark and dangerous politics aside? Does the actor have no responsibility for choosing to play a part in a narrative that can set us back as a society?” she tweeted.
Despite the flak that it has faced, Kabir Singh has been steadily raking in numbers at the box office. As per trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the film made Rs 22.71 crore on Saturday despite India’s match against Afghanistan and by its fourth day, it had earned Rs 88.37 crores.