New Delhi: Actress Alia Bhatt received backlash for questioning “male-centric” Indian films at the Cannes Film Festival and praising Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, which portrays toxic masculinity. However, many even pointed out her silence over the success of Ranveer Singh starrer, Dhurandhar.
What did Alia Bhatt say?
Speaking with the Hollywood Reporter India, the actress reflected on the success of female-led Hollywood films, such as The Devil Wears Prada 2, Barbie, and Wuthering Heights. However, according to her, the scenario is totally opposite in Indian films as filmmakers tend to target the 75 per cent male audience dubbed as “mass audience”. She also raised the question about who would cater to female audiences if films are made only keeping men in mind.
She then clarified, “I’m not saying we alienate the men, but why do we have to alienate anybody? Why do we have to cater to one gender? Why can’t we make movies that are gender agnostic, where the storytelling takes centre stage? So whether it stars a man or a woman, that should not matter. It’s the storytelling that should matter.”
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However, her remarks on Indian films and Indian filmmakers did not sit well with netizens as she seemed to criticise Indian cinema on the global platform. Many even highlighted the actress’s “hypocritical” views on Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, which faced backlash for showing violence against women and masculinity.
One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “she makes a valid point but unfortunately she’s also the loudest when it comes to supporting her husband’s work who also caters to the toxic male audience with his projects that normalize violence (especially towards women) so her words really just comes off as performative.”
she makes a valid point but unfortunately she’s also the loudest when it comes to supporting her husband’s work who also caters to the toxic male audience with his projects that normalize violence (especially towards women) so her words really just comes off as performative.
— nora ⭑ (@rvgsdelight) May 12, 2026
Another commented, “Shes probably indirectly crying cos of Dhurandhar’s success she didn’t bark when sweet husbands Animal came out that time she was wearing a t shirt with her husband’s Animal poster on it. Double dholki fake bimbo!”
Shes probably indirectly crying cos of Dhurandhar’s success she didnt bark when sweet husbands Animal came out that time she was wearing a t shirt with her husband’s Animal poster on it. Double dholki fake bimbo! pic.twitter.com/3nlITjRCJV
— Kritika Shetty (@KritikaShetty12) May 13, 2026
One more user wrote, “Crazy how Alia Bhatt behaved like biggest cheerleader of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal while it being the worst misogynist movie.”
Alia Bhatt’s jealousy over not being part of Dhurandhar is starting to become visible now 😹.
She has a problem with why Indian movies are male-centered.
She argues against the practice of catering to just one gender, suggesting that storytelling should be “gender agnostic.” pic.twitter.com/pTe3QVC7Wx
— Chota Don (@choga_don) May 12, 2026
Crazy how Alia Bhatt behaved like biggest cheerleader of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal while it being the worst misogynist movie 😭 https://t.co/sstxz8DNrQ
— feryy (@ffspari) May 12, 2026
Alia Bhatt at Cannes 2026
Actress Alia Bhatt made a stunning appearance on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival 2026. She attended the prestigious global event as a brand ambassador for L’Oreal Paris. For her appearance, she opted for a sculpted corset silhouette, sweeping train, and flowy chiffon scarf, by Tamara Ralph.