Shahid Kapoor’s 2019 blockbuster Kabir Singh remains a topic of discussion years after its release. The film, which earned over ₹250 crore at the box office, faced polarising reviews for its portrayal of toxic masculinity but emerged as one of the biggest hits of the year. In a recent interview with journalist Faye D’Souza, Shahid addressed the debate surrounding his portrayal of the titular character and shared his perspective on playing such a controversial role.
Shahid acknowledged the criticism, saying he wouldn’t endorse Kabir’s actions in real life but emphasized the importance of representing diverse realities in cinema. “It is not really about who I am. It is about who we all can be, who we all choose to be, and what we all want to be. You cannot make films that are never addressing what is happening in life,” he said.
Discussing the moral complexities of the character, Shahid added, “I don’t think a lot of things that Kabir did were acceptable at all. I would not accept a guy like that. But do guys like that exist? Do girls like that fall in love with guys like that? Yes, they do. So why can’t we make a movie about it? You walk away, decide what you like, and what you don’t. That’s up to you as an audience.”
In Kabir Singh, Shahid played an aggressive, flawed lover opposite Kiara Advani. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film sparked intense debates, with critics accusing it of glorifying toxic masculinity. Despite the backlash, audiences flocked to theaters, making it a massive commercial success.
On the work front, Shahid recently appeared in the romantic comedy Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya alongside Kriti Sanon. He is gearing up for the release of his next film, Deva, scheduled to hit theaters on January 31.
While Kabir Singh continues to polarize opinions, Shahid’s reflections underline the power of storytelling to provoke thought and spark dialogue about complex social realities.