Imran Khan slams 'lack of empathy and kindness' in Bollywood: 'Disturbed by how misogyny and toxic masculinity are propagated'

At a time when mainstream Hindi cinema is largely dominated by high-octane action and hyper-masculine heroes, Imran Khan has voiced his concern over the growing inclination towards problematic storytelling. Known for his soft, relatable roles in films like ‘Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na’ and ‘Break Ke Baad’, the actor once represented a refreshing shift, bringing sensitivity and emotional depth to male protagonists on screen.During a recent AMA session on Reddit, fans of Imran Khan expressed their disappointment with the current state of Bollywood. One user wrote, “MANNNNN where have you been????? Missed your films a lot. There has been a lack of feel-good films in the mainstream industry for quite a while… there used to be originality and a feel-good charm back then.” Responding to the fan, Imran Khan agreed that emotional storytelling has taken a backseat. “Thank you! I agree, I do feel like there are certain emotional notes that are largely unrepresented in movies nowadays; there’s a distinct lack of empathy, kindness and responsibility in our stories and characters,” he shared. He also revealed that his upcoming project ‘Adhure Hum Adhure Tum’ aims to bring back these overlooked elements, with a potential release planned later this year.When asked about the shift from grounded male characters to aggressive, violent heroes, Imran Khan did not hold back. “I have also noticed this trend and am disturbed by the way these films coddle every violent tantrum thrown by emotionally immature man-children…” he said. He further added that while portraying flawed characters is valid, glorifying such behaviour sends a problematic message to audiences.The actor emphasised that he consciously distances himself from stories that normalise toxicity. “Important to note that there’s a significant difference between portraying violence and toxicity and validating them… My own sensibilities would not permit me to participate in a narrative which I consider to be irresponsible,” he stated, making his stance on current cinematic trends very clear.Speaking about the broader issue of masculinity, Imran Khan highlighted how films today often reinforce harmful stereotypes. “I am disturbed by the upward trend in how misogyny and toxic masculinity are propagated… True strength lies in emotional vulnerability,” he wrote, adding that such narrow definitions of masculinity not only affect women but also harm men. Imran Khan’s filmography once marked a shift towards more conversational and grounded storytelling, standing in contrast to the typical larger-than-life heroes. With his return through ‘Adhure Hum Adhure Tum’, reportedly a spiritual follow-up to ‘Break Ke Baad’, the actor seems to be intent on reviving the space for nuanced, emotionally aware characters in Bollywood once again.