Abhay Verma, who shot to fame after his performance in ‘Munjya’, recently opened up about how his views on masculinity have changed. He said that while Ranbir Kapoor’s character in ‘Animal’ is seen as an alpha male, his own character in ‘Munjya’ also had shades of an alpha, as he fights to protect his family from a ghost.In an interview with Hindustan Times, the actor stated, “I grew up in Haryana, where manliness was often seen as a matter of power. It wasn’t about influence or leadership, but about physical strength and the ability to intimidate others. Thankfully, as I matured, I realised it’s quite the opposite. True manliness is about understanding others and not instilling fear. That’s what makes a better man.”
Abhay Deol on changing ideas of masculinity
“The era of ‘mard ko dard nahi hota’ (men don’t feel pain) is gone. Men today are more open about their feelings, and I’m glad that there’s space for men to be themselves. When I was younger, I believed that showing vulnerability or emotions made you less of a man, but I now see how beautiful it is to be genuine. My sister and mother have helped me become a better man than anyone else,” Abhay further added.
Abhay Verma on ‘alpha’ vs ‘sensitive’
The actor also spoke about the labels ‘alpha’ and ‘sensitive,’ saying these terms are subjective, said, “For me, Ranbir Kapoor in Animal is an alpha. But if I look at my character in Munjya, I see myself as an alpha too, because I fight to protect my family from a ghost. It’s all just a definition, movies are movies, and they shouldn’t be confused with real life.”Adding more to the conversation, “Characters in films are created for entertainment. In real life, every man has both an alpha and a beta side,” adding that it depends on the situation. He explained that he believes men should embrace both sides, showing strength when protecting loved ones, while also being sensitive when their family needs emotional support.”
Controversy over ‘Animal’ explained
The debates around Ranbir Kapoor’s film ‘Animal’ mostly centre on its intense violence, portrayal of toxic masculinity, and a controversial moment involving a female character. Many critics and viewers feel the bold content might normalise or glamorise harmful behaviour, while others argue that the film is simply a dark, gritty action story meant for mature audiences.
