"I can understand he’s upset."
Adil Hussain and Sandeep Reddy Vanga have been continuing their war of words.
In April 2024, Adil said that he regretted appearing in Sandeep’s Kabir Singh (2019).
In the film, Adil played a college dean who shared a scene with the titular character, essayed by Shahid Kapoor.
Alleging that the film glorified toxic masculinity, Adil Hussain underlined his regret at working in the film.
He said: “The only film I have regretted is acting in Kabir Singh.
“I went and did it and I like the scene. The scene I did is a good scene.
“So I thought the film is also going to be good and then I go to watch the film and I was like, ‘What am I doing here?’
“You have no idea how I felt. I felt so embarrassed.
“I went with one of my friends. We both walked out. I can’t even ask my wife to see it.”
These remarks did not sit well with Sandeep who fired back at Adil Hussain.
Writing on X, the director declared: “Your ‘belief’ in 30 art films didn’t get as much fame to you as your ‘regret’ of one BLOCKBUSTER film did.
“I regret casting you knowing that your greed is bigger than your passion.
“Now I’ll save you from the shame by replacing your face with AI help. Now smile properly.”
Adil Hussain, who also starred in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi (2012), reacted to the comments of Sandeep.
He said: “How do I respond to that? Is Ang Lee less famous than him?
“Or is Mira Nair less famous? Ang Lee is an Oscar-winner. Life of Pi got an Oscar.
“God bless Sandeep Vanga for counting the films I’ve done. I’ve never blamed him.
“I can understand he’s upset. I’ve only said that it’s my fault I did not read the script.
“The fault lies in me that I didn’t read the script.
“When I watched the film I realised, I made a big blunder. I only read my scene.
“Cinema is a powerful medium. It can influence you deeply.
“In a country where they build statues of heroes and worship them, what sort of films do you want to make?
“You have to take into account the innocence and the intellectual level of the mass audience.
“If you make a movie that glorifies violence and misogyny, I will always retain my right to criticise you.”
Sandeep Reddy Vanga faced similar criticisms regarding his latest blockbuster Animal (2023).
The film starred Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role and was a huge success.
Nevertheless, celebrities like Javed Akhtar and Kiran Rao criticised the film for allegedly showing misogyny.
When asked if he would have done Animal if he had been offered the film, Adil firmly refused.
On the work front, Sandeep Reddy Vanga will next direct Spirit.
Meanwhile, Adil Hussain was last seen in Ulajh (2024) with Janhvi Kapoor.
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