Creative Freedom and Audience Impact
Javed Akhtar recently addressed the controversy surrounding his remarks about the film Animal. He emphasizes that his critique wasn’t directed at filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s creative freedom. “In a democracy,” he says, “he has the right to make films like Animal.” However, Akhtar expresses concern about the audience’s reception of potentially problematic content.
Addressing Misogyny Allegations
Vanga previously criticized alleged misogyny in Farhan Akhtar’s web series Mirzapur, produced by Excel Entertainment, which Farhan co-founded. Javed Akhtar counters this by highlighting his 53-year career with no identified instances of sexism in his work. He views Vanga’s attack as an attempt to deflect and “a sign of flattery.”
Origin of the Controversy
The disagreement stems from Akhtar’s comments on a controversial scene in Animal, featuring shoe-licking. He expressed his apprehension about filmmakers creating characters celebrated for such actions. Vanga, in turn, questioned Akhtar’s silence on similar themes in Mirzapur.
Looking Ahead
This exchange highlights the ongoing debate about artistic expression and its potential impact on society. It remains to be seen how this back-and-forth will influence the public’s perception of Animal and its content.