Kareena, Ananya Panday and Kalyani Priyadarshan on hypermasculine trend in films

Actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Ananya Panday shared their views on the growing trend of hypermasculine male characters in Indian cinema.

Actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kalyani Priyadarshan and Ananya Panday have shared their thoughts on the growing trend of hypermasculine protagonists in Indian cinema. While acknowledging that violent and sensational storytelling currently dominates screens, the actors suggested that such trends are shaped by what audiences choose to watch.

In recent years, Indian cinema has seen a rise in male characters that are often depicted as violent, emotionally unstable and morally complex, and whose aggression is presented as strength or heroism. While films with such characters have performed well at the box office, they have also sparked debates around toxic masculinity and the influence of popular cinema on society.

During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the three actors were asked to share their views on this shift in storytelling and the rise of such characters.

"I don't know if it's the masculinity aspect. I believe the audience directs where cinema is going, not producers sitting behind a desk," Kalyani said.

She added that the current trend appears to be driven by a demand for more sensational storytelling.

"Right now, this trend, and I call this a trend because I don't think it is going to last, it is what's practical, and every scene has to be sensational or shocking. You can show spectacle with violence, and people think that’s what’s selling cinema. It scares me a little, but I believe it’s a trend," she said.