Rajat Kapoor Discusses the Shift in Hindi Cinema's Masculinity and the Loss of the 'Feminine' Hero
Rajat Kapoor feels Hindi cinema lost its ‘feminine’ hero with Amitabh Bachchan’s Angry Young Man in 1970s: ‘Only violent men on screen today’
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Rajat Kapoor, alongside Vinay Pathak, reflects on the evolution of the Hindi film hero, noting a significant shift since the 1970s with the rise of Amitabh Bachchan's 'Angry Young Man.' He argues that contemporary cinema often portrays violent male characters, contrasting with the gentler heroes of earlier decades.
- 01Rajat Kapoor believes Hindi cinema lost its 'feminine' hero with the emergence of the 'Angry Young Man' in the 1970s.
- 02He cites actors like Shashi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna as examples of gentler heroes from the past.
- 03Kapoor suggests that contemporary films predominantly feature violent male characters, including recent blockbusters.
- 04The societal shift towards urbanization and disconnection from roots contributes to the portrayal of violence in films.
- 05Vinay Pathak shares insights on the acceptance of violence in his home state of Bihar, reflecting on its historical context.
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In a recent discussion, Rajat Kapoor, a prominent figure in Indian cinema, expressed his concerns about the evolution of the Hindi film hero. He argues that the gentle, 'feminine' traits once embodied by actors like Shashi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna have been overshadowed since the 1970s by the rise of Amitabh Bachchan's 'Angry Young Man' persona. Kapoor highlights how modern cinema often depicts aggressive and violent male characters, citing Shah Rukh Khan's recent roles in action films like Pathaan and Jawan. He attributes this shift to broader societal changes, particularly urbanization and the loss of connection to one's roots, which he believes has fostered a culture of violence. Vinay Pathak, who stars in Kapoor's latest film Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, echoed these sentiments, noting that even in his home state of Bihar, a history of violence is deeply ingrained in the culture. The film is currently streaming on ZEE5.
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