In the recent controversy surrounding “Tiku Weds Sheru,” Reddit users have expressed distaste at the on-screen kiss between actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui, 49, and Avneet Kaur, 21. The film, produced by Kangana Ranaut and set for a Prime video premiere, unveiled its trailer, featuring the said kiss, to public scrutiny. Is this controversy simply a publicity stunt?
Kangana Ranaut is poised to mark her production debut with “Tiku Weds Sheru,” which stars Siddiqui and Kaur. The released trailer, which didn’t sit well with some social media users, sparked debates about age gaps and film choices. How does this controversy align with Ranaut’s frequent discourse on women’s representation in films?
Responses to the kiss scene have been mixed, with a significant portion on Reddit branding it as ‘gross’ and expressing shock that it’s part of a Kangana Ranaut production. “It’s disappointing to see Avneet Kaur, who is just 21, paired opposite someone (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who is 49,” was a common sentiment, causing many to question the intentions behind such casting. Is this an intentional play for more publicity or a serious artistic choice?
In the sea of criticism, some have also defended the actors and the scene, citing previous instances such as Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma‘s on-screen kiss in “Jab Harry Met Sejal.” Shah Rukh, at the time, was 57, and Anushka was 35. Can the previous instances of age gaps in casting justify the current situation?
“Tiku Weds Sheru” is a romantic comedy helmed by Sai Kabir and marks the first venture from Kangana Ranaut’s production house, Manikarnika Productions. It’s set for release on June 23 on Prime Video. The film charts the journey of Siddiqui’s Tiku and Kaur’s Sheru, a couple with contrasting ambitions, as they navigate the film industry.
With the trailer revealing a glimpse into their unconventional love story and the challenges they face in realizing their Bollywood dreams, one can’t help but ask: is this controversy part of the film’s marketing strategy, or is it an unintended consequence of bold casting choices?
