The Netflix film 'Wild Wild Punjab' has sparked a range of reactions since its recent release, drawing both praise and criticism from viewers and critics alike. Director Simarpreet Singh, in an exclusive interview with IndiaToday, addressed the criticism that the film portrays women in a negative light, insisting that this was not his intention.
Simarpreet emphasized that the characters in his film are portrayed based on their actions and behaviors, not their genders. He cited a specific dialogue to illustrate his point, where a character states, "Aisi ladkiyon se rejection nahi sahi jati" (It's not right to reject girls like that), clarifying that the emphasis is on a specific type of behavior rather than making a generalization about women as a whole.
He further elaborated, "When I look at my characters, I look at people, not their genders. That is why there are many conscious efforts taken to not generalize women." Simarpreet stressed the importance of portraying respect towards both women and men in his film, emphasizing that respect is accorded based on the actions and qualities of individuals, not their gender.
The director defended his approach by pointing out instances in the film where characters display respectful behavior towards women, such as the portrayal of sister-in-law (bhabhi ji) by all the men in the car, indicating his intention to showcase a balanced perspective.
Regarding accusations of promoting misogyny, Simarpreet clarified, "You might think it's sexist, but that's not our intention. Every character in the film talks respectfully to each of those who are deserving of this respect, irrespective of their gender."
Simarpreet Singh, known for his work in various series and films including 'Half Love Half Arranged' and 'College Romance', reiterated that the film 'Wild Wild Punjab' is meant to portray diverse personalities realistically, each with their own distinct traits and complexities.
'Wild Wild Punjab', featuring actors like Sunny Singh, Varun Sharma, Manjot Singh, and Jassie Gill, centers around a road-trip narrative where a man journeys from Patiala to Pathankot to convey closure to his ex-girlfriend. The film, categorized as a road-film, is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
