Naseeruddin Shah On RRR And Pushpa

Naseeruddin Shah on RRR and Pushpa. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah recently shared his thoughts on the prevalence of hypermasculinity in films and expressed his reluctance to watch movies like 'RRR' and 'Pushpa: The Rise.' He also questioned the appeal of such films and stated his preference for films like Mani Ratnam 'Ponniyin Selvan.'

In an episode of Be A Man Yaar, Naseeruddin Shah was asked about the fascination with hypermasculinity in movies, citing examples like 'Kabir Singh.' The seasoned actor commented, "Mardo ki insecurity badh rahi hai isiliye aur bhi zor diya ja raha hai hypermasculinity ko. America me toh Marvel ki duniya chal rahi hai, sab superhero hai (The insecurity of men is increasing, which is why hypermasculinity is being emphasized. Even in America, the Marvel Universe is thriving, with everyone being a superhero)."

He observed that a similar trend is happening in Indian cinema. However, he expressed his belief that smaller films, like those by Anurag Kashyap such as 'Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi' and 'Gulmohar,' will find their place and gain acceptance among the audience. He said, "I have great faith in the younger generation."

Naseeruddin Shah also pondered what people derive from watching films that emphasize hypermasculinity, aside from the thrill. He admitted that he attempted to watch 'RRR' and 'Pushpa' but couldn't finish them. On the other hand, he watched Mani Ratnam's 'Ponniyin Selvan' because he considers Mani Ratnam a capable filmmaker without any hidden agenda.

He expressed his inability to comprehend the appeal of such films and stated firmly that he would never watch them. In a separate segment of the same interview, he also questioned how many women liked 'RRR.'

'RRR,' 'Pushpa,' and 'Ponniyin Selvan' are among the most successful pan-Indian films released in recent years. 'RRR,' directed by SS Rajamouli, achieved global success, with its song 'Naatu Naatu' winning India's first-ever Best Original Song award at the Oscars. 'Pushpa,' starring Allu Arjun, was a commercial hit and played a significant role in reviving the box office after the pandemic.