Latest news with #KabirSingh
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
What Alpha Males Of Animal And Kabir Singh Can Learn From Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par Role
New Delhi: It will soon be a week for Sitaare Zameen Par in theatres. It is the story of a temperamental basketball coach, played by Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who finds a new meaning in his life after he is put on community service to train a bunch of children with intellectual disabilities. During the course of this journey, we meet an emotional man who struggles with his insecurities, childhood trauma, and the fears that won't leave him. And he cries. Oh, he cries. Aamir Khan, whose last film Laal Singh Chaddha didn't work at the box office, returned to the big screen to play a flawed, vulnerable, but softer beta male character in Sitaare Zameen Par. This too at a time when alpha male characters in films such as Animal and Kabir Singh continue to rule the box office. That Sitaare Zameen Par, mounted on a reported budget of Rs 90 crore, has earned over Rs 75 crore within five days of its release is a healthy sign for both Bollywood filmmakers and the theatre exhibition industry. As of today, the film's Day 6 collections stand at Rs 82.40 crore. An Imperfect 'Mr Perfectionist' Aamir Khan, dubbed as Mr Perfectionist in media circles, essays the role of a perpetually frustrated basketball coach Gulshan in Sitaare Zameen Par. In the first half of the film, there's not much to empathise with the character. He is irritable, a warts and all character. As the story progresses, we are introduced to the Gulshan who is hiding many secrets. In the first half an hour, we are also introduced to Gulshan's wife Sunita (Genelia Deshmukh). She is understanding and supportive, despite always being the one who compromises for him. Sunita desperately wants to be a mother, but Gulshan does not want a child. Soon, we find out the reason behind his aversion. A still from the film He does not want to be a part of any confrontational conversations. So much so, that when Sunita tries to reason with him, Gulshan leaves her deserted. While the first half showcases all the unlikeable qualities in Gulshan, the latter shows him in a new light. His character slowly begins turning over a new leaf. Seeing the differently-abled children find happiness despite their many limitations instils hope in him. For a coach who begins his journey with a defeatist attitude towards these children, Gulshan charts a whole new journey in the film. Returning to the theatres with a film like Sitaare Zameen Par, especially after the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha, was quite a gamble for Aamir Khan, the actor as well as the producer - not only because he decided to release the film exclusively in theatres but also portray a character that goes against the zeitgeist. He did not hop onto the bandwagon to play the character as a larger-than-life alpha male. And maybe that's what worked in Aamir Khan's favour. His Gulshan has real problems, but he counters them and comes to terms with them, one by one. Being vulnerable and aware about his feelings looked good on him. The Alpha Male Syndrome, Courtesy Animal, Kabir Singh, Et Al The year was 2019, filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga went national with Kabir Singh, the remake of his Telugu cinema debut Arjun Reddy. Suddenly, true love on screen validated every toxic lover's fantasy -- anger issues, violence, insecurity, and a bruised male ego that justified anything and everything in a relationship. Kabir Singh turned out to be a game-changer for Shahid Kapoor, but it also evoked strong reactions from women. The alpha male phenomenon was all about representing a man's undying love, regardless of his actions on screen. He became the sought-after hero. A still from the film In Kabir Singh, Shahid Kapoor too played a complex and flawed character. There are some traits common between his character and Gulshan from Sitaare Zameen Par, albeit a bit softer. Kabir Singh also has a volatile temper, he suffers from substance abuse and impulsiveness that leads to him being isolated. Gulshan too has anger issues, abandonment issues, and an alcohol addiction. The difference is while Gulshan's flaws take the form of empathy and shared happiness when he bonds with the children, Kabir Singh has a destructive streak which he justifies because he is heartbroken. In Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, Ranbir Kapoor's character Rannvijay is again depicted as a complicated character whose first instinct is to react with violence to protect himself and assert his dominance. Like an animal. Both Kabir Singh and Rannvijay are obsessive, emotional abusers and battle daddy issues. A scene from the film Drawing parallels with two of the most important films in recent times where flawed characters are confused with toxic representations of alpha males, Aamir Khan's empathetic version of someone dealing with similar problems in Sitaare Zameen Par comes as a breath of fresh air. The 10 #Sitaare in #SitaareZameenPar won our hearts, made us laugh & cry just like Gulshan/Aamir Sir taught us to be kind, caring & be good human beings. Even though they are the real stars in the movie I want to add that #AamirKhan Sir gave 1 of his finest performance in #SZP. — Sayantan Saha (@Sayanta67220038) June 22, 2025 Aamir Khan's Penchant For Grey Characters While Sitaare Zameen Par is currently in the limelight where Aamir Khan's imperfect personality makes you want to root for him, he has played quite a few grey or troubled characters in the last few years. At the turn of the century, in 2001, came Dil Chahta Hai which saw the actor play a young urban man Akash who is selfish and carefree. His blunt nature almost costs him his friendship and avoidant personality his love. A still from the film In Fanaa (2006), he played Rehan, a terrorist posing as a charismatic tourist guide who falls in love with Zooni (Kajol). Rehan is ruthless, but he is not entirely evil. Despite his sinister plans, he really does love Zooni. A still from the film Six years later in Talaash, the actor played the tough cop Surjan Singh Shekhawat who is investigating a high-profile case while battling grief of losing his only son, survivor's guilt, insomnia as he tries to keep his marriage intact. A still from the film Aamir Khan, who wields a lot of power and influence as one of the country's most prominent A-listers and producers, must be praised for essaying a non-hero-like character in Sitaare Zameen Par's Gulshan. For someone who may have got used to the ring of being called 'Mr Perfectionist', he makes imperfections shine like the gold in the vessels repaired through the Japanese artform of Kintsugi.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares Kiara Advani's picture from 'Kabir Singh' as it completes six years amid fallout with Deepika Padukone, netizens react
There are three reasons that have been reported so far. One of them has to do with the fact that Deepika has just embraced motherhood as she now has her daughter Dua in her life read more Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared Kiara Advani's picture from 'Kabir Singh' as it completed six years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many called it the actress' best performance whereas many in the comments section asked for an update on Spirit. This comes amid his fallout with Deepika Padukone. Vanga shocked everyone with his viral post where he slammed actress Deepika Padukone after her exit from his upcoming movie Spirit featuring Prabhas. Taking to X, the Animal helmer shared a cryptic tweet. The director didn't mention Deepika Padukone but slammed her for her 'dirty PR games' and revealing some parts of her film's story. 'When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You've 'DISCLOSED' the person that you are…Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it. You will never get it," Vanga wrote. Reasons why the actress quit Spirit There are three reasons that have been reported so far. One of them has to do with the fact that Deepika has just embraced motherhood as she now has her daughter Dua in her life. Here are the three reported reasons: Deepika Padukone reportedly insisted on 8-hour shifts that barely allows for 6 hours of filming. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She also demanded whooping Rs 20 Crores for the project & also a share in profits, she allegedly refused to speak her Telugu lines. A new source says the film has a lot of bold scenes and maybe it was Padukone's discomfort that led to her exit.
News18
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sandeep Reddy Vanga's BOLD Move: Lauds Kiara Advani Amid Deepika Padukone Row, Snubs Shahid Kapoor
Sandeep Reddy Vanga celebrated 6 years of Shahid Kapoor's Kabir Singh but only shared Kiara Advani's picture. Sandeep Reddy Vanga has marked 6 years of Kabir Singh- his Bollywood breakthrough film. However, the post has caught everyone's attention as the director has only shared Kiara Advani's picture, seemingly snubbing Shahid Kapoor, who played the titular character in the movie. Interestingly, Vanga has shared an image of his former leading lady amid reports of his fallout with Deepika Padukone. Kiara Advani played Preeti in the film, a pivotal character who was Shahid Kapoor's love interest in the film. Instead of sharing an image of his hero, Vanga posted a picture featuring Kiara. Have a look here: This comes as Vanga is embroiled in the Spirit controversy. For the unversed, Sandeep Reddy Vanga reportedly removed Deepika Padukone from Prabhas starrer Spirit. Reports suggest that her demands, including eight-hour workdays, a high salary, and a share in the film's profits, did not sit well with director Vanga. Deepika, a new mother, is reportedly seeking to balance her work and personal life by reducing her working hours. Vanga then took to his X handle and slammed an unnamed actor by accusing them of playing 'dirty PR games'. 'When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You've 'DISCLOSED' the person that you are…Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it. You will never get it," Vanga wrote and then added, 'Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames. I like this kahawath very much 🙂 खुंदक में बिल्ली खंबा नोचे !" Soon after, Deepika was announced as part of Atlee and Allu Arjun's upcoming film AA22 X A6. Judging by the teaser, she appears to play a warrior princess in the action-packed venture. After the film's announcement, Allu Arjun was reportedly ousted from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's next film. If a report by is to be believed, the Telugu superstar had signed a movie with the Animal director last year. However, insiders now claim that the film has been put on hold and Allu Arjun has been removed from it. First Published:
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Six years on, Sandeep Reddy Vanga marks ‘Kabir Singh' anniversary with gratitude and reflection
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga took to social media on June 21 to commemorate six years since the release of Kabir Singh, the polarizing blockbuster that redefined Bollywood's approach to romantic storytelling. Sharing a nostalgic poster of Kiara Advani soaked in Holi colors, Vanga captioned the post with a simple message: 'Thanks for the love, 6 years for Kabir,' tagging lead actor Shahid Kapoor, music composers, and producers. Released on June 21, 2019, Kabir Singh was the Hindi adaptation of Vanga's own Telugu cult hit Arjun Reddy. While the film courted significant controversy for its depiction of toxic masculinity and emotional volatility, it simultaneously achieved staggering commercial success. Grossing over $40 million worldwide, it became the ninth highest-grossing Indian film of its time. Shahid Kapoor's portrayal of Kabir, a hot-headed surgeon spiraling into self-destruction after heartbreak, drew both critical acclaim and backlash. Despite the polarizing reactions, Kapoor earned a Filmfare nomination, and the film ultimately shifted the perception of romantic heroes in Hindi cinema—from idealized lovers to flawed, emotionally charged individuals. Kabir Singh's continued relevance owes much to its availability on streaming platforms like Netflix, where it continues to attract both new viewers and fresh debate. A 2023 University of Mumbai study cited the film as a turning point that challenged conventional romantic narratives, placing inner turmoil and psychological complexity at the heart of its story. As Vanga prepares for upcoming projects like Animal, his acknowledgment of Kabir Singh's anniversary underscores the film's enduring legacy. Love it or loathe it, Kabir Singh remains a cultural touchstone—provocative, impactful, and very much a part of India's cinematic conversation.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Men in ads need more nuanced portrayal
Brands riding on Father's Day celebrations last Sunday launched their print and digital campaigns to capitalize on emotions linked to the occasion to influence customers. Companies, across categories, that released special communication marking Father's Day included SBI Life, Instamart, Niva Bupa Health Insurance, Myntra, De Beers and Zomato among others. The Zomato campaign stood out for its storytelling and collaboration with other leading digital brands, said communications strategy consultant Karthik Srinivasan. While Zomato, Blinkit and District are part of the same company, other apps which collaborated on the ad included Urban Company, Uber and Spotify. Its quintessential message was that 'Appa' (dad) works harder than all these apps put together as he repairs home appliances, sings lullabies and transports his child on his two-wheeler. 'The caring father evokes the sentiment that before you used apps to do things, there was only 'Appa,' Srinivasan said. Diamond company De Beers' print ad was a hand-written note of appreciation from a GenZ daughter to her dad thanking him for starting to understand her lingo, binge-watching K-dramas with her and accepting her fashion sense. 'Not just in Father's Day campaigns, but usually brands showcase only the ideal version of men in ads. Unlike in films, there is no place for a hero or a villain in advertising,' Srinivasan said. Toxic masculinity may be on display in films like 'Kabir Singh' or 'Animal' since movies reflect at least some reality while ads are aspirational, he added. Lately though, the depiction of men in advertising and films has become a subject of great debate. Based on research by Kantar, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Academy released a report in March titled 'Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask, in collaboration with the Unstereotype Alliance and Religious Brands. 'Today, masculinity -- and the patriarchal structures that organise society -- are facing a crisis… Simultaneously, women are rising as equals and competitors,' the report said. In certain categories like e-commerce, tech, and menswear, there's a more evolved depiction of men -- softer, more caring, and less driven by ego. 'However, this seems to be a re-working of the traditional gentleman role, rather than a substantial challenge to the predictable man script. Some of these narratives that, at first glance, seem progressive, may also create more pressure by asking men to live up to both the protector and the caregiver, instead of un-stereotyping masculinity,' it said. Srinivas noted that the nearly 30 Father's Day ads he saw, pitched dad as the caregiver and provider, with no new thought. Ekta Relan, chief strategy officer, Saatchi & Saatchi India, agreed that the archetypical father ads, except Zomato, were underwhelming. The ASCI Academy report focused on the 'crisis' in traditional masculinity, with men feeling increasingly alienated, insecure and confused owing to societal changes and rise in gender equality. It sought a nuanced approach to depicting men in ads given the pressures they are facing. At a webinar organised by the Market Research Society of India (MRSI) on the same theme, Ekta Relan said that the reasons for men's identity crisis are rooted in women's empowerment journey over decades. 'In redefining the role of a woman, a man's role at home, in the family and society also got redefined. And they aren't conditioned for it,' she said. One response to this identity crisis was the resurgence of the alpha male seen in films like 'Animal'. 'The other was masculinity taking pride in sharing the load,' Relan said. For decades, there was a hero who never died, a father who never changed diapers and a professional who never failed. 'But now we see a father tearing up at his daughter's graduation ceremony and a CEO posting about his anxiety on social media,' she said. When 'Animal' succeeds, it raises questions about their real identity. But Relan said the future of masculinity isn't singular. 'Variations will co-exist which is an opportunity for brands. They must choose and sharply project the core of masculinity they want to represent because a male consumer today is not choosing a product, but an identity,' she said.
