Kiran Rao responds to Sandeep Reddy Vanga's criticism of Aamir Khan's past work amidst misogyny debate

In the latest Bollywood controversy, filmmaker Kiran Rao has taken a stand against Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's assertions regarding her stance on misogyny in '90s movies featuring her ex-husband, actor Aamir Khan. Responding to Vanga's claims, Kiran Rao emphasized Aamir Khan's rare acknowledgment and apology for the problematic elements in his past work, particularly citing his apology on record during an episode of his TV show Satyamev Jayate for the suggestive song "Khambe Jaisi Khadi Hai" from the 1990 film Dil.

In an interview with The Quint, Kiran Rao countered Vanga's remarks by stating that Aamir Khan's willingness to address and apologize for past instances of misogyny sets him apart from many others in the industry. She further asserted that she is not responsible for Aamir Khan's work and encouraged Vanga to address any concerns directly to Khan himself. Kiran, who shares a son, Azad, with Aamir Khan, clarified that her criticism of misogyny in Bollywood films has always been directed at the broader issue and not specifically at Vanga's movies.

The dispute escalated when the official handle of the movie Animal responded to Kiran's remarks, asserting that neither they nor director Sandeep Reddy Vanga were making assumptions regarding Kiran Rao's comments. They maintained that the information was reported by a reputable media outlet.

Previously, Kiran Rao had cited films like Kabir Singh and Baahubali: The Beginning as examples of movies with misogynistic undertones that achieved blockbuster success. Sandeep Reddy Vanga's response urged Kiran to address the misogyny present in Aamir Khan's '90s films, such as Dil.

This exchange underscores the ongoing conversation surrounding misogyny in Bollywood and the responsibility of filmmakers to address problematic portrayals in their work.