Strapping surgeon Kabir Singh, an emotionally damaged and cocky man-child, isn’t instantly adorable. This bitter human pill is domineering and a paragon of toxic masculinity.
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The woman of his dreams, the absolutely virginal Preeti (Kiara Advani), is suitably submissive and passive. Both have this crazy emotional and physical codependence that could decimate this warped pair.
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But actor Shahid Kapoor makes the toxic title character devastatingly humane and vulnerable with his knockout performance as a high-functioning alcoholic in ‘Kabir Singh’.
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Kapoor, who looks decidedly dishy in an unkempt beard, is outstanding as this decaying lover. He’s violent and virile, determined to destroy himself over a messy break-up. His attention towards punishing himself is riveting and he’s the human equivalent of a train-wreck that you can’t help rubber neck. Kabir stops you in your tracks with his uninhibited act. The scenes in which he rages around like a bull or comes unhinged is absolute gold.
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Advani holds her own too with a sensitively nuanced performance as Preeti.
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Be warned, her submissiveness and silence can be annoying. But there’s an interesting shift in the couple’s dynamic towards the end where she wields some power.
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Initially, it’s the testosterone-fuelled Kabir who pulls the shots in the courtship. She’s his junior in college and in life too.
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The way in which he courts her in college and marks her as his property is disturbing, archaic and regressive.
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The feminist who yearns for gender parity in films may die a natural death in this film, but the actors make this puerile narrative palatable.
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The dynamics of love, lust and letting go is also explored.
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It was also refreshing to see a pair of mainstream, popular actors attempt to show the unsavoury, bitter parts of a relationship. ‘Kabir Singh’ explores the complex dynamics of love and lust with a discerning eye.
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This electrifying couple — who have a tendency to slap each other several times when frustrated — may also make you wonder if they need a therapist more than love in their lives.
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While the first half is filled with episodes of a swashbuckling Kapoor acquiring his trophy girlfriend, it’s the second half of the film that hooked me in.
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Kabir’s fall from misogynistic grace is well-captured and actor Soham Majumdar as his supportive, enabling best friend complements him. All the actors in this well-cast film do their bits to elevate this love story.
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While the film doesn’t explain why Preeti finds Kabir desirable, a lot of screen time dwells on why Kabir yearns for the woman of his life. But there’s no denying that these two have good chemistry between them.
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In this film, relationships come across as a blood sport where the risk of injury is high and only the strongest screw-up will survive.
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‘Kabir Singh’ is truly the survival of the despicable. Their collective action — when they break up — is a crash course on self-flagellation.
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It’s also a much-needed departure from the usual syrupy Bollywood love stories that showcase grand gestures.
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Put a ring on ‘Kabir Sigh’ if you are in the mood for watching a love story that’s wonderfully wicked and warped.
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Film: Kabir Singh
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Director: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
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Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Bajwa, Suresh Oberoi
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Stars: 3.5 out of 5