Shahid Kapoor starrer Kabir Singh was one of the highest grosser of 2019. The film was at the centre of controversies with several people pointing out misogyny and abuse against women. The film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga was the remake of the Telugu film Arjun Reddy starring Vijay Deverakonda in the lead. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Shahid Kapoor’s brother and actor Ishaan Khatter spoke about the controversy that followed the release of Kabir Singh.
Sharing his view on the controversy surrounding Kabir Singh, Ishaan said, “It's an opinion. I think a lot of people who had that opinion also came from an informed space. But I do think that the large number of people were appealing about something they did not fully understand. I think cinema has a certain language. I think most people largely misconstrued the film and there was a very big argument about how the hero and his actions were glorified. I feel that is the language of the film, that is the choice of the director to showcase a character in a certain manner. It depends on which perspective and lens he is looking through. The treatment will be determined by that lens.”
“I really feel like it was made into a thing of its own. I really enjoyed the film. I am not somebody who is misogynistic, if anything quite the opposite. I feel there was a large audience that connected to the film and his story despite his flaws. I don't think they connected to him for his flaws. So, I do have that perspective on it,” he added.
After the release of the film, several women pointed out that they were uncomfortable while watching the film. Talking about the same Ishaan said, “ I know that there are many people who were made to feel very uncomfortable. A lot of it had to do with their viewing experience. A lot of people watched it with others in the theatre who seem to condone some of the despicable things that the character does in the film. For eg. there's a very dramatic scene but I felt like it is portrayed as is, where the male character is violent with the female character. He slaps her. I think that should not be a polarising moment for the audience. It should be very clear that the character has stepped off the right path and is now acting out of impulse in a very negative way and is walking on to the path of self-destruction largely.”
“But I think cinema is perceived in an individual way. I think a lot of people, who perhaps accepted that or saw that as the right thing to do and saw the films and that really scared a lot of viewers and I completely understand that. I think that is the reality of not only our country but around the world. One of the arguments was domestic violence and I think that is a very sensitive issue and I don't think anybody who is attached to that film will condone it. I can't speak for others but I believe that the film was made with the intention that was not understood by a lot of people,” Ishaan said.
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