Anurag Kashyap joins 'Kabir Singh' debate, says film represents 70% of urban India
Kashyap was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Audible Suno, an audio show platform.
By PTI | Updated:
Agencies
Kashyap says one cannot enforce the existence of one kind of cinema.
MUMBAI: Why shouldn't a film like 'Kabir Singh' exist when it represents more than 70 to 80 per cent of urban India, says director Anurag Kashyap who believes it is important to make people uncomfortable rather than stay politically correct in cinema.
There has always been a debate around the role or responsibility of artistes and whether they should bear accountability for the art they put out but Kashyap says one cannot enforce the existence of one kind of cinema.
"The first thing is, it's up to you whether you want to take it on or not. If I disagree with something, if I don't consider cinema of a kind cinema at all, I can't say it cannot exist. I can't enforce that. We can all co-exist," Kashyap told PTI.
"Like there were a lot of controversies around 'Kabir Singh'. Everybody can make any film and should make any film, should represent all kinds of people. 'Kabir Singh' does represent more than 75-80 per cent of urban India. Why not put it out? If I disagree with it, I won't see it. But sometimes it's necessary to see ourselves," the director said.
Kashyap was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Audible Suno, an audio show platform, where he has directed 'Thriller Factory' which chronicles crime-stories of the country's best pulp fiction.
The episodes are voiced by Tabu, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and other major stars from Hindi cinema.
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Tabu, who has done her share of dark characters in films like 'Andhadhun' and 'Maqbool', said she's not in control over how people interpret her art.
As the controversy around 'Kabir Singh' picked steam, people also gave examples of Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. "What people take from it is really not in my control. I can just be mindful of what I am choosing. I have to be clear about 'why am I doing this film?' or 'what value does it have for me personally?'" the actor said.
Kashyap added, "Being politically correct all the time doesn't help. India as a country, for 75 years, has made films with positive messages, all love stories with happy endings. Where has it brought us? It is very important to make people uncomfortable sometimes."
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As the controversy around 'Kabir Singh' picked steam, people also gave examples of Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur' and if its leading men, Manoj Bajpayee and Nawazuddin would take responsibility for the violence in the film.
When asked how does he view the argument, Nawazuddin said, "What happens in the society, who takes responsibility for that? Films show a very diluted version of what happens out there."
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Kashyap said artistes are always attracted to everything forbidden.
"When you're told as a kid by your mother not to touch something, you go and touch exactly that. So the human curiosity, for actors and everyone, takes them to things which are forbidden. I'm forever attracted and in love with what is forbidden," he added.
From ‘War’ To ‘Kabir Singh’, Here Are The Films That Set The Box Office On Fire In 2019
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If you’re a Bollywood fanatic or have been following the news trickling in from tinsel town, you probably know that 2019 saw some big releases. While some lived up to the hype and expectations, others fell short miserably, and were dubbed as box-office misadventures.
As they say, ‘numbers never lie’ and are often used as an accurate measure of how a film performed worldwide. To know which movie(s) ruled the box office this year, we have compiled a list of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2019.
Read on, and take a look back at 2019, the year that saw some of the biggest box-office releases.
If you’re a Bollywood fanatic or have been following the news trickling in from tinsel town, you probably know that 2019 saw some big releases. While some lived up to the hype and expectations, oth..
Read More
The Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan-starrer ‘War’, hit the silver screens on 2nd October and instantly became a hit among the audience. ‘War’ opened with a collection of Rs. 53.35 crore on its first day, which is the highest opening-day collection.
The film entered the coveted Rs 100-crore club within 3 days of its release and broke several records. What’s more? The action-thriller became the fastest Bollywood flick of 2019 to cross the Rs 200 crore mark. Currently, ‘War’ is the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year, with a gross collection of Rs. 292.71 crore.
The Tiger Shroff and Hrithik Roshan-starrer ‘War’, hit the silver screens on 2nd October and instantly became a hit among the audience. ‘War’ opened with a collection of Rs. 53.35 crore on its firs..
Read More
Easily one of the most controversial films of 2019, ‘Kabir Singh’ hit the theatres earlier this year. While the movie was a hit among the audience, it was unanimously slammed by critics for its portrayal of the protagonist Kabir Singh (Shahid Kapoor). Some even called the film a ‘justification of hyper toxic masculinity’ that came close on the heels of the #MeToo movement. The movie left the audience divided and evoked polarised reactions.
However, the controversy did little to deter the movie from becoming the second highest-grossing film of Bollywood in 2019. According to the latest box office reports, the film has amassed a collection of Rs. 276.34 crores, and is still going strong.
Easily one of the most controversial films of 2019, ‘Kabir Singh’ hit the theatres earlier this year. While the movie was a hit among the audience, it was unanimously slammed by critics for its por..
Read More
‘How’s the Josh?’, ‘High Sir!’ from the Vicky Kaushal-starrer ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ became the favourite dialogue of India in 2019 with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi using it in his election campaign. The film is a dramatised account of the 2016 Uri attack and India’s subsequent retaliation with a surgical strike. The film that whipped up nationalistic passion and frenzy hit the theatres on 11 January 2019, approximately a month before the Pulwama incident which escalated the tensions between India and Pakistan.
The film was appreciated by critics and audience alike and has earned Rs. 244 crore at the box office.
‘How’s the Josh?’, ‘High Sir!’ from the Vicky Kaushal-starrer ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ became the favourite dialogue of India in 2019 with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi using it in his electi..
Read More
Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Housefull 4’ is the fourth installment in the comedy film franchise ‘Housefull’. The movie generated a lot of buzz online and on social media, thanks to the viral #BalaChallenge, which saw the who’s who of Bollywood dance to the tune of the catchy song ‘Shaitaan ka Saala’.
Celebrities from Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh to Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor, tried their hand at the signature move of the song and shared the chuckle-worthy videos online. The challenge set social media ablaze and ended up grabbing a lot of eyeballs. Housefull 4 clocked in Rs 205.22 crore at the box office and entered the prestigious Rs 200-crore club.
Akshay Kumar-starrer ‘Housefull 4’ is the fourth installment in the comedy film franchise ‘Housefull’. The movie generated a lot of buzz online and on social media, thanks to the viral #BalaChallen..
Read More
The Katrina Kaif-Salman Khan starrer ‘Bharat’ hit the theatres on 5 June. As they say, no Eid is complete without a Salman Khan release and the actor lived up to his promise of delivering a blockbuster film on the festival. Based on the 2014 South Korean film ‘Ode to my Father’, ‘Bharat’ explored the turbulent times of the India-Pakistan Partition.
While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it performed beyond expectations at the box office, clocking Rs 197.34 crore, missing the Rs. 200 crore club by a whisker.
The Katrina Kaif-Salman Khan starrer ‘Bharat’ hit the theatres on 5 June. As they say, no Eid is complete without a Salman Khan release and the actor lived up to his promise of delivering a blockbu..
Read More
‘Mission Mangal’ is one film which didn’t fight shy of portraying women in lead roles. It packed a stellar female cast with Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu and gave them the roles of women who are full of imperfections but still try their best to make ends meet.
The film was appreciated by most of the critics precisely for this reason and opened to positive reviews. It starred Akshay Kumar in titular role, with the actor making his second appearance on the list. And it amassed Rs 192.67 crore at the box-office, setting the cash registers ringing.
‘Mission Mangal’ is one film which didn’t fight shy of portraying women in lead roles. It packed a stellar female cast with Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu and gave them the roles of wom..
Read More
The Hindi language action-war film saw Akshay Kumar in the lead, playing Havaldar Ishar Singh, a part of the Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army. The film received critical acclaim upon its release, getting great reviews from the critics. Akshay's Midas touch continued as ‘Kesari’ did over Rs 151.87 crore at the collections.
The Hindi language action-war film saw Akshay Kumar in the lead, playing Havaldar Ishar Singh, a part of the Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army. The film received critical acclaim upon its re..
Read More
A reboot of the 2007 film Dhamaal, ‘Total Dhamaal’ hit the silver screen on 22nd February The film had a large ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffrey, and Esha Gupta.
Upon release, the flick was slammed by critics and generally received negative reviews. Despite that, ‘Total Dhamaal’ performed well, going on to make Rs. 150.07 crore.
A reboot of the 2007 film Dhamaal, ‘Total Dhamaal’ hit the silver screen on 22nd February The film had a large ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Riteish Deshmukh, Arsh..
Read More
‘Saaho’ marked ‘Baahubali’ star Prabhas’s debut in Hindi films. Produced on a budget of Rs 350 crore, it made its entry into the list of the ‘Most Expensive Bollywood Films’ ever made. Needless to say, expectations were running high but the movie failed to live up to the hype.
‘Saaho’ was panned by critics on release but somehow managed to earn its spot on the highest grossers list, gathering Rs 148.84 crore.
‘Saaho’ marked ‘Baahubali’ star Prabhas’s debut in Hindi films. Produced on a budget of Rs 350 crore, it made its entry into the list of the ‘Most Expensive Bollywood Films’ ever made. Needless to ..
