Senior film producer Indra Kumar has staunchly defended his latest comedy Dhamaal 4 against growing online backlash over jokes targeting actress Anjali Anand’s weight. After the film opened in theaters on July 10, some viewers criticized the project for relying on regressive body-shaming humor. However, the director emphasized in an interview with Mid-day that the humor carries an absolute narrative context within the film’s broader storyline and character arcs, rather than just reducing the actress to her appearance. Kumar praised Anjali for her stellar performance and said she was very excited about the role and expressed full confidence in the audience who would watch the entire comedy. Ajay Devgan, Ritual Deshmukh, Arshad Warsiand Jaaved Jaaferi will get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative intent.
Indra Kumar responds to Anjali Anand’s criticism
Ever since Dharmaal 4 hit theaters on Friday, the film has faced backlash for jokes targeting Anjali Anand’s weight. However, Indra Kumar believes that the audience will understand the context of the story after watching the entire film. “I really liked Anjali and she was so comfortable with the role. She did a fantastic job. The humor in the story has context and the character arc gives meaning to the jokes rather than reducing her to a punchline,” he said.
Indra Kumar talks family entertainment
The filmmaker always has one straightforward goal: to create a good story that’s good for family entertainment. For him, comedy remains the genre best suited to achieve this goal. As more audiences return to theaters, he’s seeing a new desire for light-hearted, feel-good movies. “We have a great theme. So I think we have to make it. If you can laugh with your family, that’s a better choice,” the director said when the fourth installment of “Dharmaal” will be released in theaters on July 10, “Mid-day” reported. Even before launch, the warmth he received from the industry made him more confident. “Everyone wants it. I’m getting positive vibes from the entire industry this time.”
Indra Kumar on comedy challenges
Kumar, who has more than three decades of experience directing lively, mass-entertainment films, admits that comedy is not an easy genre to crack. To make sure the audience laughs along, he relies on his skills. “Comedy is something you have to have. you must enjoy [the humour] while shooting. return, [it’s a genre] Actors are inspired to do all the things they would never be able to do in real life. ” says the filmmaker, whose film stars Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh and Jaaved Jaaferi.
Indra Kumar on cast chemistry
Kumar attributes the lasting appeal of the “Dhamaal” film to the strong chemistry between its entire cast. He particularly praised Devgn’s deadpan comic timing and the effortless camaraderie between the actors on screen. “Ajay has the dignity and poise to match and can pull off a comedy effortlessly. He is one of the most versatile actors we know. Today, he can be seen in Tanhaji (2020) and Dhamaal, followed by Singham, Shaitaan [2024]So easy with Drishyam. This is a very good quality. Ajay’s diversity is amazing,” shares the director.
Indra Kumar’s ‘Dhamaal’ and its origins
The original Dhamaal (2007) was inspired by the 1963 American comedy classic It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.