Veteran filmmaker Indra Kumar has strongly defended his latest comedy venture Dhamaal 4 against the growing online backlash over jokes targeting actress Anjali Anand’s weight. Following the film’s theatrical release on July 10, sections of the public criticized the project for relying on regressive body-shaming humor. However, speaking to Midday, the director emphasized that the humor carries an absolute narrative context within the film’s wider story and character arcs, rather than simply reducing the actress to her physical appearance. Praising Anjali’s excellent performance and stating that she was completely thrilled with the role, Kumar expressed confidence that viewers who watch the entire ensemble comedy starring Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsiand Jaaved Jaaferi, will understand the creative intent behind the scenes.
Indra Kumar responds to Anjali Anand’s criticism
Ever since ‘Dhamaal 4’ hit theaters on Friday, the film has faced a backlash over jokes targeting Anjali Anand’s weight. Indra Kumar, however, believes that viewers will get the context once they watch the entire film. “I really loved Anjali, and I was very happy with the role. She has done an excellent job. The humor has context within the story and the character arc gives meaning to these jokes rather than reducing her to them,” she says.
Indra Kumar on family entertainment
The filmmaker has always had a clear goal: to create a good story that works as family entertainment. For him, comedy remains the most appropriate genre to achieve this. As audiences return to theaters in increasing numbers, they see a new yearning for lighter, more enjoyable cinema. As reported by Midday, the director says, “We had a great theme. So I thought we should go for it. And if you can laugh with the family, that’s a better option,” speaking on the occasion of the release of the fourth part of Dhamaal in theaters on July 10. Even before its release, the warmth it received from the industry only boosted its confidence. “Everybody wanted it. This time I got positive vibes from the whole industry.”
Indra Kumar on the comedy challenge
With over three decades of experience directing animated and mass entertainment films, Kumar admits that comedy is not an easy genre to crack. To make sure the audience laughs, he relies on a technique of his own. “Comedy is something you have to have inside of you. You have to enjoy it [the humour] while filming him. Also, [it’s a genre] that inspire actors to do all the things they are unlikely to do in real life,” says the filmmaker, whose film stars Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh and Jaaved Jaaferi.
Indra Kumar on the chemistry of the cast
Kumar attributes the enduring appeal of the ‘Dhamaal’ films to the strong chemistry shared by his cast. In particular, he credits Devgn’s unprecedented comic timing and the effortless camaraderie between the actors on screen. “Ajay, who has the dignity and poise to match, can do comedy effortlessly. He is one of the most versatile actors we know. Currently, he can do both a Tanhaji (2020) and a Dhamaal, followed by a Singham, Shaitaan. [2024]and Drishyam so easily. It is a great quality. The kind of variety that Ajay does is amazing,” shares the director.
Indra Kumar’s ‘Dhamaal’ and its origins
The original ‘Dhamaal’ (2007) is inspired by the 1963 American comedy classic ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’.