Kabir Singh

Kabir Singh

Kabir Singh is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. It is a remake of his own Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017). The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani. Kapoor plays Kabir Singh, a brilliant but impulsive young surgeon who spirals into self-destruction after his girlfriend, Preeti (played by Advani), is forced to marry another man. The film explores themes of love, anger, and self-destruction, and it was both praised and criticized for its portrayal of toxic masculinity and misogyny.

Plot

The story follows Kabir Singh, a medical student with anger management issues, who falls in love with his junior, Preeti Sikka. Despite opposition from her family, their relationship grows deeper. However, when Preeti's father catches them together, he opposes their relationship and arranges her marriage with another man. Devastated, Kabir spirals into a self-destructive path, turning to alcohol and drugs, which eventually affects his career and personal life.

Cast

• Shahid Kapoor as Kabir Singh
• Kiara Advani as Preeti Sikka
• Soham Majumdar as Shiva
• Arjan Bajwa as Karan Singh
• Suresh Oberoi as Kabir's father
• Adil Hussain as the college dean
• Nikita Dutta as Jia Sharma

Production

The film's production began in August 2018 and was primarily shot in Mumbai, Delhi, and Mussoorie. Kabir Singh was produced by Bhushan Kumar, Murad Khetani, Krishan Kumar, and Ashwin Varde under the banners of T-Series and Cine1 Studios.

Reception

Kabir Singh received mixed reviews from critics. While Kapoor's performance was widely praised, the film's glorification of toxic masculinity and treatment of women were heavily criticized. Despite the controversy, it was a box office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2019.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Kabir Singh was composed by Mithoon, Amaal Mallik, Vishal Mishra, Sachet-Parampara, and Akhil Sachdeva, with lyrics written by Irshad Kamil, Manoj Muntashir, Kumaar, and Shellee. The songs, especially "Bekhayali" and "Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage", became very popular.

Controversies

The film sparked significant controversy for its portrayal of toxic masculinity, misogyny, and the protagonist's abusive behavior. Critics and audiences were divided, with some praising the film for its raw portrayal of love and heartbreak, while others condemned it for sending a dangerous message about relationships and consent.

Legacy

Despite the controversies, Kabir Singh left a significant impact on Bollywood, sparking discussions about the portrayal of male protagonists in Indian cinema and the glorification of toxic behavior. It also established Shahid Kapoor as a versatile actor capable of carrying a film on his shoulders.