Exclusive! Kathal's Anant V Joshi: Stop normalising the toxic behaviour of men as being 'manly'

While many big theatrical releases revolve around men with macho images, young actor Anant V Joshi, who plays the male lead in Kathal, says that the sensible and realistic portrayal of men is the need of the hour, and not macho images that tend to encourages toxic masculinity.

In the film, Anant plays a police constable who is in love with police inspector Mahima Basor (Sanya Malhotra), who holds a higher position than him in the police force.

Talking about how playing and writing such male characters will bring about a change in society and humanise men, Anant told OTTplay, "We need the representation of different men in cinema and shows. Cinema is an influential medium and it is only natural that people start admiring a certain kind of look and style of heroes. The whole image that a man needs to have a certain kind of body to be the hero is so overrated that if you don't look a particular way, you are rejected as a mainstream actor. This has nothing to do with your acting talent. But I am hopeful that it will change."

Elaborating more, he added, "I also feel that we should stop normalising toxic behaviour of men and perceive it as something 'manly'. We should normalise vulnerability in men; it is better to cry than bottle up emotions and beat people up. Also, I feel that men do not express love enough. I remember my father was awkward to even hug me when I was growing up. His expression of love was different. There is nothing wrong with expressing love and being vulnerable. It is a strength for men and women both. I feel that unless we show more vulnerable, loving, warm-hearted men onscreen, we will not be able to balance the narrative of empowered women."

Kathal is directed by Yashowardhan Mishra and produced by Oscar-winning film producer Guneet Monga. It is available to stream on Netflix.