Rishab Shetty’s comment about Bollywood portraying India negatively went viral. We ask names for their opinions.
After MetroSaga’s interview with Rishab Shetty about Bollywood went viral, the 2022 Kantara star was embroiled in a dispute. Shetty said in Kannada, “Bollywood films often make India look bad. Art films are featured at international festivals and attract special attention. My nation, state, and language make me proud. I strive to present them in a positive way to the world.”
Bollywood fan backlash
Many saw Shetty’s words as a Bollywood attack after they leaked online. A Reddit post showed Shetty grabbing Sapthami Gowda’s waist in Kantara, escalating outrage. This has increased social media discourse. I disagree with what he said, wrote GlindePop. Indian films show both the good and bad of the country, as it should be.” Iamrandom17 wrote, “the content in kantara and the way women were treated in that clearly wasn’t showing india or indians in a good light”
Industry reacts
Ashoke Pandit, president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association, believes Shetty’s statements are payback for Arshad Warsi’s criticism of Prabhas’ portrayal in Kalki 2989AD. Pandit says, “You must control your language when talking about anyone. Please don’t remark. Arshad shouldn’t have said it—retaliation is inevitable. Discuss the picture. This is a creative industry. Nahi, North, South, East, West! Actors’ names are linked and vice versa. Dubbing your films in Hindi and releasing them in this area says you need Bollywood and our culture!”
The director of Shahid (2012), Hansal Mehta, calls Shetty’s comments a broad generalisation. Mehta says, “Though I wonder what the context is. Out-of-context quotes cause controversy. I bet he meant no disrespect.”
Telugu actor Chunky Panday, who participated in Saaho, says Hindi films help NRIs preserve cultural ties. Not at all, he says. I travel frequently abroad. I met several NRI families that thank Bollywood for keeping their children culturally connected. Other Indian films. Someone who says that must have a cause. Cinema has no language.”
Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar denies North-South conflict. He claims, “I don’t think anybody is doing this deliberately. The director and writer of any film determine its content.” He adds, “If people complain to Indian films showing India and say ‘we are the only ones doing it’, they are ridiculed worldwide. Their self-importance is excessive. We have mature flicks like Laapataa Ladies. We’ve always compared our films to their (South) sensibilities, which are totally different.”
Adil Hussain, who acted in Star Trek and Life of Pi, suggests that Shetty’s criticism should distinguish Bollywood from arthouse films. He could have distinguished between Bollywood pictures and arthouse Hindi language films, which are awarded the red carpet at film festivals, says Hussain. Most Bollywood films are lost in the glitter of 5-10% upper middle and high class families. Not all arthouse films represent poverty in a negative light. India is the largest part of Indian reality and isn’t shown negatively. It’s honesty, not to discredit our nation.”
Famous Hollywood filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is more neutral. “This argument will never end. “Every filmmaker must follow his heart,” he concludes.
