Is controversy surrounding Kabir Singh Movie justified?

A still from Kabir Singh

Since the  1^st day of release of the movie “Kabir Singh”, the movie has found itself in the midst of controversy. While many have loved the movie, there is a section who is not impressed with the storyline and portrayal of the character played by Shahid Kapoor.

Kabir Singh, regardless of the fact that it has had the best opening for a Shahid Kapoor starrer, has been panned by critics for its misogynistic and toxic male lead role. 

Even before its release, Shahid Kapoor was faced with this question as one reporter took him on about him playing a character who slaps women and generally behaves in a manner that cannot be an example for others. 

Shahid Kapoor was, however, unfazed, and he said, "I have to play characters for their good and bad. I have to represent them honestly. That is what acting is all about. Otherwise, I am just wanting (people) to like me."

Shahid may have silenced his interlocutor with his smart, matter-of-fact reply, but things did not end there, as overzealous adherents of political correctness seem set out on 'cleansing' every kind of communication because political correctness posits that any kind of expression or attitude, be it in fiction or real life, that discomfits others should be excised at all costs.

That is why you increasingly find movie reviewers unhappy with characters (and hence unhappy with the film) that tend to cross the line of acceptable behaviour. Many movies from yesteryear are now seen as not being legitimate as yesterday's passionate lover is today's creep.

With the time the movies have also evolved. In contrast to earlier movies where character of lead actor was written unidimensionally, now their character are written so as to incorporate more than one dimension. At instances they may behave in a particular way reflecting their weaknesses. Some of their traits may not fit into the framework of morality created by society.  This makes the character more realistic and hence more relatable. So if a movie is negatively reviewed just because it is not morally correct is not justified.  It should be realized that if characters were to be justified then we would not have gotten to see Amrish Puri, Pran and other legendary actors who played negative characters in Indian cinema.
Now coming to those who are trying to justify the character of Kabir Singh. There is no way in which this character can be justified. A drunkard, drug addict and over aggressive person is anything but justifiable. Dialogue such as healthy girls are not attractive, is beyond any rational explanation. There are many such instances in the movie where you may feel uncomfortable by the amount the objectification the character of Kiara Advani is subjected to. Kabir Singh is what you should never be like-there is no two ways about it.