As if Shahid Kapoor starrer Kabir Singh, the official remake of Telugu film Arjun Reddy, wasn't receiving eniugh criticism on the misgony, toxic masculinity propogated in the name of love, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga further went on to give an interview defending his potrayal of Kabir and Preeti and how it's justified to slap each other in love.
Calling the criticism as 'bizzare', he spoke at length against the backlash in interaction with Anupama Chopra.
"When I started this film, I knew it would be a big success at the box office, but I never thought that the rage would be repeated, and it has multiplied four times now.” he said adding, "When you are deeply in love and deeply connected to a woman (and vice versa), if you don’t have the liberty of slapping each other, then I don’t see anything there."
This one statement by Sandeep Reddy Vanga was enough to irk the netizens.
While many slammed the director for his regressive mindset. There are also a few who have called out to ban the film. Joining the 'disgusted' club against Sandeep Reddy Vanga's statement is South actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu who is equally 'disturbed'.
Taking up to Instagram, Samantha has shared the quote by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and said "Deeply disturbed'.
However, the director has now issued a statement that he has been misquoted in the interview.
While speaking with Times Now, Sandeep clarified, "Go, watch it and enjoy. If you don't like the film then fine. You took me completely wrong. It's not assault. When you're so close to each other, when you can't handle your worst thing with each other. And you don't have the liberty of showing your worst side..The worst thing is not like 'iss din daaru peeke aake maar rha hai'. It's about the liberty of the expression between a couple who is deeply connected. It works for a woman also and it works for a man also. I spoke for both the sides. But sadly, they are quoting in a very wrong way."