New Delhi: Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor has addressed the controversy surrounding her new film ‘Bawaal.’ Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and also starring Varun Dhawan, the film was released on Prime Video to negative reviews, with many calling it tone and deaf and trivialising the enormity of the horrors of the Holocaust. In ‘Bawaal, Janhvi portrays an epileptic young woman facing emotional abuse from her husband, played by Varun. The film takes a unique turn as the couple travels to Holocaust sites in Europe, leading to a shift in their strained relationship.
During a joint interview with Pinkvilla, Janhvi, Varun, and the director defended the film, emphasizing their pure intentions behind its creation. Janhvi even cited testimonies from people who appreciated the movie, thereby presenting a defense against its critics.
“I know someone, he’s a professor at an Ivy League university, and he’s an Israeli. He had ancestors that unfortunately, did not survive the Holocaust. He saw the film, and was very moved by it. He understood everything that we set out to do with the film, and never once in the conversation did he ever allude to being offended by anything. It depends on people’s views. The intention has always been pure, and always to acknowledge the turmoil, the devastation and the monstrosity of what happened,” she told Pinkvilla.
“It’s important to understand the intention, always. And if you misunderstand the attention, that’s what I would call tone-deaf,” she added.
Janhvi also emphasized the significance of creating a film that evokes reactions and affects people emotionally.
Sharing an anecdote from a screening for students at IIT, she narrated how a girl who recently experienced an epileptic episode found solace in the character's journey, feeling stronger after watching the film.
Despite harsh reviews, Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and the team behind 'Bawaal' stand by their work and encourage audiences to understand the film's intention and appreciate the emotional impact it has had on some viewers.