In a recent interview with ETimes, actor Kunal Kapoor shared his perspective on the evolving nature of film heroes, using Ranbir Kapoor’s “Animal” and Shahid Kapoor’s “Kabir Singh” as prime examples. Kunal emphasized how audiences today are more accepting of diverse character portrayals, unlike a decade ago when heroes were expected to adhere to a specific archetype.
“Today, the audience accepts all kinds of heroes,” Kunal remarked. “You have characters like Shahid Kapoor in ‘Kabir Singh’ and Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Animal.’ These characters would not have worked maybe 10-12 years ago because people expected heroes to be a certain way. The more we stretch that mould, the better it is for everybody.”
Kunal, known for his roles in films such as “Rang De Basanti” (2006), “Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana” (2012), and “Gold” (2018), reflected on how the storytelling and character expectations have shifted over his career. He noted, “When I started out, there were certain kinds of movies that would be made, and the hero was expected to be of a certain kind. You had to fit into a mould, which I didn’t. There were certain expectations about the kind of films that you had to do. And I didn’t enjoy those films. Fortunately, what’s happened is that the mould has changed now and different kinds of characters are being written, and different stories are being made. That’s the kind of space I enjoy.”
Despite its commercial success, Ranbir Kapoor’s “Animal,” directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, faced criticism for its portrayal of misogynistic and violent male characters. The film, featuring Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol, and Triptii Dimri, centers around a tumultuous father-son relationship and includes extreme violence, which many critics argued glorified toxic masculinity.
Similarly, “Kabir Singh,” also directed by Vanga, became one of the highest-grossing films of 2019 but drew significant backlash for its depiction of a toxic romantic relationship and its misogynistic perspective. The film, a Hindi remake of Vanga’s Telugu hit “Arjun Reddy,” sparked widespread debate about its controversial themes.
Kunal Kapoor’s insights highlight a significant shift in the film industry, where varied and complex character portrayals are gaining acceptance. This change, according to Kunal, is beneficial for both the industry and the audience, as it allows for a broader range of stories and character dynamics to be explored on screen.
Sources By Agencies
