(Image source from: Hindustan Times)

Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s latest interview defending his latest box-office success Kabir Singh has got him in more trouble.

In an interview with film critic Anupama Chopra for Film Companion which was shared on YouTube on Saturday, Vanga defended his film which is being widely criticized for promoting toxic masculinity as love.

“When you are deeply in love and deeply connected to a woman (and vice versa), if you don’t have the liberty of slapping each other, then I don’t see anything there,” he told Chopra.

Vanga, in reference to a scene where Shahid Kapoor slapped Kiara Advani, said: “If you can’t slap, if you can’t touch your woman wherever you want, if you can’t kiss, I don’t see the emotion there.”

His comments have led to floodgates of criticism online with netizens profoundly condemning his ideas of love, intimacy, and possession.

Now defending himself against the controversial interview which has since gone viral, Vanga told Times Now, “I’m not endorsing that (physical violence). I can’t reply to everybody in this world. When people are deeply connected in love they should not shy away from the fact that they can show their worst side to each other. That’s what love is all about.”

“You took me completely wrong. It’s not assault. It’s about the liberty of the expression between a couple who is deeply connected. It works for a woman also and it works for a man also. I spoke for both sides. But sadly, they are quoting in a very wrong way,” he added.

Starring Shahid and Kiara in lead roles, Kabir Singh has earned Rs 226.11 crore at the domestic office up to now.

By Sowmya Sangam