Sorry if this topic has been done to death here but I just can't find a thread where the discussion has been streamlined around the facts related to this character. Most of the comments are about people either projecting their fears about what the movie could encourage in society or bashing without even watching the movie. So, I would like to know, from those who HAVE watched it, because I know it sounds bad to those who haven't watched it but you really should watch it first and then form your opinion on it, did you think Kabir Singh was a misogynist? I agree that he was a very angry and aggressive person. That much is more than clear. Also, very impulsive and reckless. But a misogynist?
Can you point out which exactly are those places in the movie where you thought a character like him does not deserve a happy ending and people should be warned to not be like Kabir Singh in real life?
Personally, I thought that character was a weird character, unconventional and ofcourse not someone to be idolised for his violent ways, but also not someone I would call a bad person. I was very uncomfortable with him slapping Preeti. It was wrong completely for him to have pulled out a knife to force the girl to have sex with him, which she didn't. Other than those two instances, I thought most of what he did was well within the scope of the movie's premise. So, please tell me what you think and why?
My biggest concern was when he started "controlling" Preeti. He, in some ways, dictated her life by choosing her friends, by telling her to come with him for anatomy lessons, and by stating that everyone shouldn't try to flirt with Preeti.
In this war on labeling misogyny, people are forgetting that Preeti was there too. The movie failed to give us any insight on Preeti's mind during the first flashback. She was silent and obedient. She didn't have any reaction when Kabir kissed her on her cheek after he called her down when she was playing antakshari, nor did she say anything when Kabir told her he was going to give her private lessons.
Was it because she grew up in that type of patriarchal household? Or was it because she heard things about Kabir's anger and wanted to stay on his good side? Perhaps, it was love at first sight ... but she didn't know how to express it? Was her silence acceptance or fear? Preeti's expressions were hard to read, they were incredibly blank (and given how the story doesn't share this side, I think it's a fair portrayal).
While watching the movie, I wondered whether Preeti was going through some variation of Stockholm's Syndrome. Kabir essentially dictated her life, her friends, etc. (arguably to make her more successful, but that's a poor argument), so she may have felt that there was no one there for her. In this "loneliness," her feelings for Kabir would have grown and she would see him as a savior, a good person.
Further, her feelings towards Kabir became more prominent after the molestation incident (which people conveniently forget as well). Maybe she saw him as a hero, or maybe him finally telling her that he loves her changed that. The movie failed to show this as well. Preeti hugging Kabir after he beat up Amit is understanding. She just went through a horrifying experience. But after moving into the boy's hostel with Kabir, she made the first move by reaching out and holding Kabir's hand. She also consented to the kiss and sex. Heck, she even stayed up all night because Kabir was sleeping on her lap (douche move on Kabir's part because they didn't even know each other. He just popped out of nowhere and slept in his lap. Get a bed dude).
Moving to the scenes where Kabir got angry with Preeti:
1) The "stay two more days" scene // I saw this as more anger problems than anything. Kabir has an incredibly short fuse. It was interesting how Preeti kept mentioning it, and it took him this long to crack.
2) The "orthodox" stuff (wasn't really anger, but a change in personality) // The campus was more orthodox so he didn't want to hug/kiss her. Preeti was incredible in this scene. She stood up for herself and demanded Kabir kiss her then and there.
3) The whole incident with Preeti's parents (part 1) // I might be getting this confused with part 2, but IIRC, he told her to talk to her father and make him understand their love. He gets thrown out the house because of a misunderstanding.
4) The ignoring Preeti when she came over to his house // She eventually convinced him, but he was acting like a baby.
5) The whole incident with Preeti's parents (part 2) // I kinda feel for Kabir here. He isn't given a chance to explain, Preeti's dad is being a
5a) The yelling in the street, the slap, the curse, and the forced kiss (I might be getting scenes confused again) // This was the saddest scene in the movie. But is it any worse than a typical fight between couples? I think it's showing how words uttered in anger can really fark us up in the future, and to think before saying something. I think this is a strong argument towards misogyny. He slaps her because she doesn't think 6 hours is enough time, but he also kisses her as if he owns her. Kinda felt like he was saying "I kissed her, now see if anyone will accept her. SHE'S MINE MINE MINE.."
6) The whole incident with Preeti's parents (part 3) // Kabir got beat up, Preeti didn't turn around. Not much happened.
7) Kabir meets Preeti again. // Preeti slaps Kabir to her heart's content.
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Going towards the other scenes involving women - actress (Gia) and cheating wife and maid ...
With Gia, it was consensual sex. He left the moment it started getting serious. He didn't like Gia ironing his clothes, because he liked ironing Preeti's clothes. When Gia tells him that she loves him, he leaves. He was looking for sex and nothing more.
With the cheating wife, I think KS was just horny. When you're horny, you don't really think about shit like properly taking off buttons. You want to start banging quickly. Him pointing the knife at the wife is more so a combination of his anger issues and his sexual desires. He didn't end up doing it (that's why he put ice in his pants I think?), I guess?
The housekeeper/cleaning lady was different. People see the chasing scene, but forget that this wasn't the first time. KS got angry again and he acts irrationally like usual. In a better world, we would tell her to get lost .. in KS's world, he can't use words because he's got so much anger.
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I'm hungry right now, so I'm ending it here. I might add something later on. Peace.
CID
Bigg Boss 19
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