Mumbai: Renowned lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar has raised concerns regarding the commercial success of films featuring masculinity and violent scenes, taking an apparent swipe at Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal.” Speaking at the Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival in Aurangabad, Akhtar, without naming the film, expressed his concerns about the impact such content could have on society.
He stated that. “If a movie becomes a huge success despite featuring a scene where a man instructs a woman to lick his shoe or condones slapping a woman, that’s concerning,” he commented, alluding to the specific scene involving Ranbir and Triptii Dimri’s characters in “Animal.”
The 78-year-old writer stressed that it’s a challenging period for young filmmakers. He highlighted their responsibility to create characters that match societal values. Akhtar gave examples where scenes like a man telling a woman to lick his shoe or supporting violence against women become very popular and successful, which he sees as a risky trend. Despite its significant financial success, grossing close to Rs. 900 crore globally, “Animal” has faced criticism for its perceived misogyny and brutal violence.
Akhtar also specified about the concerns raised by writers: ” Presently, writers encounter a significant challenge in determining the portrayal of a hero in films. This challenge arises from the confusion within society itself. When society has a clear understanding of right and wrong, it paves the way for the creation of compelling characters in a story. Conversely, if there is uncertainty about what is right or wrong in society, it becomes difficult to craft exceptional characters.”
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