Veteran filmmaker Indra Kumar has firmly defended his latest comedy venture, Dhamaal 4, against growing online backlash regarding jokes directed at actress Anjali Anand’s weight. Following the film’s theatrical release on July 10, sections of the audience criticized the project for relying on regressive body-shaming humor. However, speaking to Mid-day, the director emphasized that the humor carries absolute narrative context within the film’s broader storyline and character arcs, rather than merely 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, which stars Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, and Jaaved Jaaferi, will understand the creative intent behind the scenes.
Indra Kumar responds to Anjali Anand criticism
Ever since ‘Dhamaal 4’ hit theatres on Friday, the film has faced backlash over jokes aimed at Anjali Anand’s weight. Indra Kumar, however, believes viewers will grasp the context once they watch the entire film. “I really loved Anjali, and she was very happy with the role. She has done an excellent job. The humour has context within the story and the character arc gives those jokes meaning rather than reducing her to them,” he says.
Indra Kumar on family entertainment
The filmmaker has always had one straightforward objective: to craft a good story that works as family entertainment. For him, comedy remains the genre best suited to achieve this. As audiences head back to theatres in growing numbers, he sees a fresh craving for lighter, feel-good cinema. As reported in Mid-day, the director says, “We had a great subject. So I thought we must make it. And if you can laugh with the family, that’s a better option,” speaking on the occasion of Dhamaal’s fourth part releasing in cinemas on July 10. Even before its release, the warmth he received from the industry only added to his confidence. “Everybody wanted it. I got positive vibes from the whole industry this time.”
Indra Kumar on the challenge of comedy
With more than three decades of experience helming lively, mass-entertaining films, Kumar admits that comedy is no easy genre to crack. To make sure the audience laughs along, he relies on a technique of his own. “Comedy is something you have to have in you. You have to enjoy [the humour] while filming it. 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 ensemble cast’s chemistry
Kumar attributes the lasting appeal of the ‘Dhamaal’ films to the strong chemistry shared by its ensemble cast. He particularly credits Devgn’s deadpan comic timing and the effortless camaraderie among the actors that comes through on screen. “Ajay, who has got the dignity and poise to match, can carry off a comedy effortlessly. He is one of the most versatile actors we know. In today’s time, he can do both a Tanhaji (2020) and Dhamaal, followed by a Singham, Shaitaan [2024], and Drishyam with so much ease. It’s a great quality. The kind of variety Ajay does is amazing,” shares the director.
Indra Kumar’s ‘Dhamaal’ and its origins
The original ‘Dhamaal’ (2007) draws inspiration from the 1963 American comedy classic ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World’.
