Aami director Kamal makes shocking remarks on Vidya Balan
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has been subject to some shocking statements from Malayalam filmmaker Kamal, after the former opted out of doing the latter's upcoming film Aami (due to hit theatre screens on February 9, 2018). Speaking to a leading Malayalam magazine, Kamal has been quoted on Manju Warrier's (who replaced Vidya later) role as follows :
"The Madhavikutty I had in mind for Vidya is not the Madhavikutty that Manju has brought to life. It was god’s blessing that Vidya backed out from the movie...Had Vidya played the role, sexuality would have crept in. This was a part even I didn’t pay much attention to.."
These statements from the Malayalam director has grabbed the attention of the media limelight, with some even dubbing them as "sexist" and "sour-grape remarks". If one may recall, a similar incident had occured between Baahubali director S.S. Rajamouli and Bollywood actress Sridevi who apparently was the initial choice for the role of Rajamatha Sivagami (later played by Ramya Krishnan). Rajamouli had attributed Sridevi's "overtly unreasonable demands" for her getting replaced and "thanked God" her not portraying the character.
While Sridevi on her part was prompt enough to rubbish his statements, she maintained that she respects Rajamouli's work and did not find it professional to talk about someone "not being cast" in a particular film. Will Vidya Balan follow suit or will remain tight-lipped is something we have to wait and watch.