Pankaj Kapur defends Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh, says “Toxic masculinity exists in society”

Pankaj Kapur on Kabir Singh being Toxic

Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur discussed the criticism directed at his son Shahid Kapoor's movie Kabir Singh, providing a new angle on the controversy.

He emphasised in an interview with The Lallantop that how films frequently serve as a mirror to society, reflecting actual problems rather than elevating them. He also talked about Shahid's acting career and their family's laid-back, open environment.

When asked about the backlash Kabir Singh faced for its portrayal of toxic masculinity, Pankaj didn’t shy away from defending Shahid’s work. He said Shahid did “good work” in the film and pointed out, “That is okay because it doesn’t mean that toxic masculinity doesn’t exist. It exists in society and because somebody made a film on it we started objecting it. This is our own outlook.”

His words remind us that films can show uncomfortable realities without endorsing them—and it’s often our own perspectives that shape the conversations that follow.

Kabir Singh, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Kiara Advani alongside Shahid, sparked widespread discussion on how gender roles and toxic behaviour are portrayed in cinema. Pankaj emphasised that sometimes the controversy comes from how audiences interpret these stories, rather than the stories themselves.

Looking back on Shahid’s career, Pankaj reflected on how his son was often seen as the “boy-next-door” for years. He credited director Vishal Bhardwaj with helping Shahid break out of that mould.

“For a long time, I used to tell him and others that his main potential is drama and that nobody has tapped it. He was getting only sweet boy roles. It was tapped by Vishal Bhardwaj. These films have a big role in bringing forth the actor inside Shahid later. Shahid also became intelligent about which films to do and which to not do. He performed brilliantly in Haider, but he also performed wonderfully in Farzi.” It’s clear Shahid’s taken control of his craft and grown into a versatile actor.

On acting training, Pankaj said Shahid never had formal classes but learned more through experience and self-reflection, sometimes even joining him for workshops.

When it comes to family, Pankaj paints a picture of a household without rigid hierarchies. “My kids take decisions independently. There is no hierarchy in our house. They are the boss. I’m not the boss. My kids give me lectures, and I’m ready to listen because they are the younger generation. They know more,” he shared with a smile.

Pankaj Kapur has three children—Shahid, Ruhaan, and Sanah—with his wife, actress Supriya Pathak. Together, they’ve created a family culture that values honest conversations and learning from each other, both on and off screen.