Bollywood director Mohit Suri, known for creating some of Hindi cinema's most emotionally complex male characters, has finally addressed the recurring theme of troubled men in his films. From Rahul's alcoholism in Aashiqui 2 to Guru's violent past in Ek Villain and Arjun's emotional detachment in Murder 2, Suri's filmography features numerous male leads with toxic or volatile traits.
Not Glorifying Flawed Masculinity
When questioned about whether he glorifies problematic masculinity through these characters, Suri offered a thoughtful response. "Well, I don't think I'm doing that," the director stated emphatically. "With my films, I bring the focus on flawed people. Even the women have their flaws."
Suri went further to challenge conventional gender strength perceptions, revealing his personal belief that "the stronger between the two sexes is definitely women." This perspective, he explained, stems from his own life experiences rather than any attempt to romanticize male toxicity.
Women as Healers and Saviors
The director, who recently worked on Saiyaara featuring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, elaborated on the consistent pattern in his storytelling. "If you notice, in all my films, the men may be flawed, but the women complete them," Suri observed.
This narrative choice emerges from profound personal tragedy. Suri lost his mother when he was just eight years old, an experience that fundamentally shaped his understanding of relationships and resilience. "My father had no choice but to raise me like a roommate and a colleague. And I have no regrets about that," he shared candidly.
The director credits his aunt with raising him and acknowledges the transformative impact of the women in his life. "Today, I am loving this whole family life that my wife Udita has given me. I have a sister and a daughter. The women in my life have been strong, not so much the men," he revealed.
Women as the Real Superheroes
Suri's explanation provides crucial context for understanding his cinematic universe. While his male characters often display significant flaws and emotional volatility, they consistently find redemption through female characters.
"Talking about the flawed men in my films, yes, they are there, but at the end, they are redeemed by the women who come and save them," Suri explained. "So, the superheroes in my stories are the women."
This perspective reframes the narrative around his films, suggesting that what some critics interpret as glorification of toxic masculinity might actually be a setup for highlighting female strength and resilience. The flawed male characters serve as vehicles to showcase how women can be transformative forces in relationships.
Suri's approach to storytelling demonstrates how personal history can shape artistic expression. His films, while featuring problematic male protagonists, ultimately celebrate feminine strength and redemption, reflecting the director's own life experiences and the powerful women who shaped him.
