In a turn of events that has sparked substantial discussion in the film industry and beyond, seasoned actor Adil Hussain expressed his profound regret over participating in the controversial 2019 hit ‘Kabir Singh’, which starred Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani in lead roles. Adil Hussain is an accomplished performer known for his diverse roles in acclaimed movies such as ‘Taare Zameen Par’, ‘Life of Pi’, and ‘English Vinglish’.
In a candid admission made during a conversation on AP Podcast, a platform known for its deep dives with industry personas, Adil Hussain disclosed, “That’s the only film in my life that I have done without reading the script, without screening the original movie that it’s based on. To this day, it stands as the sole project that I’ve regretted taking part in… Kabir Singh.” Adil Hussain slipped into the role of Shahid Kapoor’s professor in the film—a role that, he asserts, he departed from with a growing concern that his wife would disapprove if she engaged with the content.
Beyond his personal feelings about taking the role, Adil Hussain also expressed his stance on the film’s thematic elements and its relationship with societal norms. He criticized ‘Kabir Singh’ for championing themes that do not serve social well-being. “I think a film like this, it celebrates something which is not beneficial for society. It legitimizes male misogyny. It legitimizes violence against anybody for that matter, doesn’t have to be a woman. And it celebrates it, it glorifies it, and it should not be glorified,” he elaborated.
These statements reverberated through the entertainment community, ultimately capturing the attention of ‘Kabir Singh’s director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. In a defiant response to Hussain’s comments on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Sandeep shared the video from the interview, pairing it with a jarring critique. “Ur ‘belief’ in 30 art films didn’t get as much fame as ur ‘regret’ of 1 BLOCKBUSTER film did. I regret casting u, knowing that ur greed is bigger than ur passion. NOW I’ll save U from the shame by replacing Ur face with AI help. Now smile properly,” Sandeep retorted, turning the conversation into a heated public exchange that has since ignited a debate on artistic integrity and public perception.
The film ‘Kabir Singh’ in question, besides stirring up this recent dust-up, has held its ground as Shahid Kapoor’s most successful venture to date. It is the Hindi-language remake of Telugu film ‘Arjun Reddy’, with both iterations helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Vanga, riding high on the success of ‘Kabir Singh’, recently achieved a trifecta of blockbusters including his latest directorial project, ‘Animal’, featuring Ranbir Kapoor.
In light of his statements, Adil Hussain’s future in cinema seems unperturbed, as he is set to appear next in the film ‘Ulajh’. The film, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Gulshan Devaiah, charts the story of a young diplomat from a notable lineage of patriots, who finds herself tangled in a dangerous conspiracy of personal stakes, while stationed away from home in a critical diplomatic role.
This ongoing clash between Adil Hussain and Sandeep Reddy Vanga highlights an intriguing rift over personal values and the moral responsibilities of filmmakers and actors within the Indian cinema landscape. As the industry grapples with these potent themes, the aftermath of these events continues to beckon attention.
Adil Hussain’s poignant critique exemplifies a broader conversation about the power of narrative and its potential implications in society—an exchange that, undoubtedly, will continue to evolve as the relationship between cinema and social values remains a vibrant arena of discourse. Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s retort stands as a defiant affirmation of his creative choices, in the face of criticism from within his cast.
The developments in this story will likely spur further reflection within the industry, as audiences and creators alike consider the intersection of artistic expression and ethical considerations in storytelling. With the industry’s eyes trained on future projects like ‘Ulajh’, it remains to be seen how this discourse will influence the approaches of filmmakers and actors to potential future controversies.
(With inputs from IANS)
