Filmmaker Kiran Rao has stepped up to address recent comments made by “Animal” director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who questioned her stance on misogyny in her ex-husband Aamir Khan’s past films. In an interview with The Quint, Rao responded to Vanga’s remarks, asserting that if he has concerns about Aamir Khan’s work, he should communicate them directly rather than involving her.
Vanga had previously suggested that Rao should critique the misogyny in Aamir Khan’s earlier movies before casting judgment on his own directorial ventures like “Kabir Singh.” However, Rao defended Khan, highlighting his willingness to publicly apologize for problematic content in his past films. She specifically referenced an instance on his TV show “Satyamev Jayate” where Khan apologized for the suggestive song “Khambe Jaisi Khadi Hai” from the 1990 film “Dil,” in which he starred alongside Madhuri Dixit.
Rao commended Khan for taking responsibility for his past actions, stating, “There are very few people who would look back at their body of work and apologize for doing something problematic in retrospect. And that’s really laudable.”
Regarding Vanga’s remarks, Rao emphasized the need for direct communication between him and Khan, stating, “If Mr. Vanga has something to tell Aamir, he should tell him man to man. I’m not responsible for Aamir’s work or Aamir Khan.”
Despite her divorce from Aamir Khan in 2021 after 16 years of marriage, Rao affirmed their continued professional collaboration and co-parenting of their son, Azad. They are currently working together on the production of Rao’s upcoming directorial project, “Laapataa Ladies.” Additionally, Rao clarified that her criticism of misogyny in Bollywood films was not directed specifically at Vanga’s work, as she had not seen it. She emphasized her commitment to addressing misogyny wherever it exists in the industry.
The exchange between Rao and Vanga has sparked discussions online, with Vanga’s film “Animal” responding to Rao’s comments by asserting that they were not making assumptions and referring to reported facts by a major media outlet.
Previously, Rao had called out films like Vanga’s “Kabir Singh” and SS Rajamouli’s “Baahubali: The Beginning” for perpetuating misogyny despite their blockbuster status. Vanga’s response to Rao’s critique was to question her about Aamir Khan’s past work, particularly in films like “Dil.”
As the conversation surrounding misogyny in Bollywood continues, Rao’s defense of Aamir Khan and her call for direct communication between stakeholders in the industry shed light on the complexities of addressing social issues within the realm of Indian cinema.
Sources By Agencies
