No one brought up 'Baazigar', when SRK kills Shilpa Shetty: Shahid Kapoor

Actor defends his recent release for being criticised for promoting toxic masculinity and abuse

Looks like the buzz around the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Kabir Singh isn't dying down anytime soon. Audiences were particularly irked after a scene in the film depicted Kabir (Shahid) slapping Preeti (Kiara Advani) as her father forbids her from marrying him.

Film-maker Sandeep Reddy Vanga had earlier addressed the criticism in a string of controversial posts. When asked about the violent treatment of women in the film, Sandeep said, “When you are deeply in love and deeply connected to a woman (and vice versa), if you don’t have the liberty of slapping each other, then I don’t see anything there.”

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And now, Shahid seems to be defending his director's stance. Recently at India Today Conclave 2019, the Udta Punjab actor said, "If you think cinema is an educational institution that you're taught what you should or should not to do, that's your choice. Cinema is meant to mirror life. It's about representing the truth. It's an adult film, for adults, who can distinguish between right and wrong."

He added, "Are you telling me that Mr Bachchan is someone who taught people to be a thief? You know you're going to watch a movie right, it's fiction right? I've seen situations like this in life. When a couple fights, if a third person views it, they'll have a different idea. Fundamentally, they're in love."

PHOTO: SHAHID KAPOOR/INSTAGRAM

Shahid continued, "I've seen independent women date simple boys and vice versa. That's how life is, it's unpredictable. Why is there a problem? You choose to take away what you want from the film. That's what democracy is all about."

According to Shahid, there was nothing wrong with the film's context as Preeti comes out as a stronger individual than Kabir. "We promoted the film for two months. If someone's bought a ticket, they probably wanted to see something in it. The film is about a flawed character. Preeti is a stronger character than Kabir. Kabir doesn't know how to handle himself. Every Kabir needs a Preeti in his life," he said.

Shahid also took a dig at Shah Rukh Khan's hit film Baazigar. "No one brought up Baazigar, when SRK kills Shilpa Shetty. No one said anything about putting a commode seat on Sonam Kapoor's neck in Sanju. Sab Kabir Singh ke peeche kyun pade hain (Why is everyone after Kabir Singh then?)."

Kabir Singh was released on June 21, 2019. The film was a massive hit as it bagged INR2.7 billion. The film is the remake of Sandeep's 2017 directorial Arjun Reddy.

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