'Kabir Singh' is a cathartic film says Shahid Kapoor

Actor Shahid Kapoor, who is gearing up for the release of his next film titled 'Kabir Singh', has said that his upcoming romantic-action film is cathartic in its nature.

Shahid Kapoor was interacting with the media at the trailer launch of 'Kabir Singh' along with Kiara Advani, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and producer Bhushan Kumar on Monday in Mumbai.

Kabir Singh is the remake of the Telugu hit Arjun Reddy, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who has also helmed the Hindi version. While the film became a rage quickly after its release in 2017, it was criticised for glorifying toxic masculinity and for using anger as a tool to justify the titular character's abuse of women and people around him.

Responding to the criticism, Shahid said, "Sometimes, we are very hypocritical about how we tend to look at cinema made in India. We then watch things made internationally and praise them for the fact that they are so honest, straight and not trying to be politically correct all the time. Cinema is meant to showcase different people. It's not about wonderful, perfect people. I think we all are imperfect in our own ways. We all have grey areas within ourselves, we go through good and bad phases."

Shahid added, "To me, watching a film like 'Kabir Singh' will help understand that when you allow yourself to be affected by those things, it can take you on the path of destruction. It can warn you from going in that route. For people who might've been there, it can be therapeutic. Cinema acts as a medicine. If you see something you relate to, it helps you have catharsis of sorts."

Shahid said that Kabir Singh is a cathartic film. He said, "It makes you honestly go through that journey of a man, without trying to sugar coat it, because then that's being manipulative. Sandeep has made an honest film and people should watch it knowing that. If people only want to come and see people going 'hey hey ha ha' then cinema won't go far. We need to be able to make real films."

'Kabir Singh' is laced with foul language and shows alcohol and drug abuse.

The film is yet to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification.

Shahid said: "We are hoping to get a U/A certificate. We don't know whether we will get it or not. There is only belief that there is no reason for us not to get the U/A certificate. It is important that today we are able to tell stories honestly without sugar coating.

"I think audiences are mature enough to understand that and censors should give into that. There is nothing in the film which is off-putting. It is an honest depiction and it should be allowed to showcase itself."

When asked about the treatment of aggression in the original and if the makers avoided it in the remake, Shahid said the interpretation of films with evolving times cannot always show the right thing.

He said, "I did 'Jab We Met'. Who was the aggressive character in the film? I played the submissive character. In 'Padmaavat', I was playing much more quieter character and now I've done 'Kabir Singh' where I am playing an aggressive character."

'Kabir Singh' is slated to release on June 21.