Vaani Kapoor breaks silence on her film Abir Gulaal co-starring Fawad Khan getting banned in India: 'This whole cancel culture...'

I don't get the cancel and boycott culture, says actor Vaani Kapoor, who believes that censorship in any form restricts an artist's freedom to take creative risks and explore new ideas. In May, Vaani's romance drama movie Abir Gulaal, also starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, was set for release in Indian theatres but found itself in a controversy in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, an incident that renewed calls for boycott on Pakistani artists from politicians and trade organisations. The movie was not allowed to be released. 

When asked how the recent events affected her, the actor spoke about the impact of censorship in the field of arts. "I'm not so into censorship, I believe you can give a certificate...Sometimes what happens is there's no limit, there are times when I hear censorship, (I feel) they can remove this or that," Vaani told PTI in an interview.  "I don't know that as an artist, as a filmmaker or as a performer, how much are you willing to then explore a new territory because then you're controlled and there's a boundary set for you. Then you have to work and bring something new, refreshing, exciting, and never been seen before within that frame of that line that's been drawn for you,” she added. 

The actor, known for her work in films like War, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, and Raid 2, said "cancel and boycott" culture often lead to a toxic atmosphere. She said, "This whole cancel culture, 'ek cheez galat bol di', cancel karo, boycott karo (Say one thing wrong, and there are calls for cancel and boycott). I don't get that volatile behaviour. We're being so harsh to one another. I feel there's so much toxicity and hate that I keep hearing....'Aaj isko boycott kar do, aaj isko cancel kar do' (Let's boycott this today or let's cancel this'.) Mat karo yaar (Don't do it), have room and let people be." 

The 36-year-old actor is set to make her series debut with Mandela Murders, a psychological thriller show from Netflix. At the show's trailer launch event, Vaani had expressed concerns over social media increasingly becoming a space filled with negativity. She also shared her observations about a growing culture of hate. Vaani said hatred can have "psychological" ramifications on people, and it can often lead to anxiety and self-doubt, especially for those who are still discovering their identity. 

Vaani stated, "If you look at kids in school or college, not just in the industry, outside the industry, we are all affected by it. It leaves a psychological impact, you are making people doubt before they've even understood who they are, they've not fully bloomed yet, they've not figured out who they are. We're humans, we're bound to make errors, we're not saints, and you learn from your mistakes."

The Khel Khel Mein actor urged people to be compassionate with each other as she said, "I might have a difference in opinion, but just because we’ve a difference in opinion doesn't mean you're a bad human being and I should cancel you, or that there's no room for existence for you. Don't be that harsh, be happy, kind and give love a chance."

Mandala Murders is produced by YRF Entertainment, with Aditya Chopra, Uday Chopra, Yogendra Mogre and Akshaye Widhani serving as executive producers. The show will premiere on July 25 on Netflix. (With inputs from PTI)

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