Anand Gandhi, the Creative Director of Tumbbad, said that Kantara is a celebration of toxic masculinity. This resulted in strong reactions on Twitter.
Tumbbad Vs Kantara
After Kantara’s massive success at the Box Office, netizens started comparing the Rishab Shetty movie with Tumbbad. Some said that the Hindi film was better while others supported the Kannada film. Anand Gandhi who functioned as the creative director in Tumbbad shared his thoughts on the same and kickstarted a full-fledged Kantara VS Tumbbad debate on Twitter.
Gandhi took to Twitter to share, “Kantara is nothing like Tumbbad. My idea behind Tumbbad was to use the horror as an allegory of toxic masculinity and parochialism. Kantara is a celebration of these.”
Kantara is nothing like Tumbbad. My idea behind Tumbbad was to use the horror as an allegory of toxic masculinity and parochialism.
Kantara is a celebration of these.— Anand Gandhi (@Memewala) December 3, 2022
His comments led to fans comparing Kantara with Tumbbad. While some did agree with Anand Gandhi that Kantara eulogized a certain kind of patriarchal central figure known to exist in cinema, others felt that his comments were slightly baseless.
Kantara depicts the journey from debauchery to enlightenment, the nativism playing an enabling role. Tumbbad is the exact opposite- a glorification of debauchery and stereotyping of the natives.
You’re right – Kantara is nothing like Tumbbad.
— The Road to Serfdom (@quark_time) December 3, 2022
" Toxic masculinity and parochialism". Dead giveaway that someone has been brought up on Leftist hate, disconnect and self-loathing.
— Vinod Sharma (@vinod_sharma) December 3, 2022
So what is wrong with masculinity?
— Gourav Ghosh (@golghosh) December 3, 2022
The plot of the movie is one such and the character required it. You can't show him as someone who walks like a gentle cat. Have you watched Paruthiveeran?
— Sanjeevee sadagopan (@sanjusadagopan) December 3, 2022
Tumbbad is one of the finest movies of the last few decades. It is sad it didn’t get the accolades and the level of fame it truly deserves.
— ruchi kokcha (@ruchikokcha) December 3, 2022
Your understanding of Indian society, masculinity and Dharma is pretty parochial.
Don't preach, that's not your job.
Your lot is proving Chanakya right even after 2000+ years. https://t.co/hYilhnEpKG pic.twitter.com/RFBf1XO8Zv— ಶುದ್ಧ ಶುಂಠಂಪಾಳ (@idnnll) December 3, 2022
I really liked Tumbad as a horror movie but if the maker is saying this, I am cancelling my liking for Tumbad. https://t.co/3k50mXAGkF
— Ceteris Paribus (@entropied2223) December 3, 2022
Lol in the opening scene of the movie a lady will be jerking off a old man and this asshole talk about toxic masculinity in Kantara ??♂️ https://t.co/dukangFIKq
— SadhuMaharaj ?? (@SadhuMaharaj16) December 3, 2022
I really liked Tumbad as a horror movie but if the maker is saying this, I am cancelling my liking for Tumbad. https://t.co/3k50mXAGkF
— Ceteris Paribus (@entropied2223) December 3, 2022
About both the films
Tumbbad is a period horror drama, produced by and starring Sohum Shah. The story revolves around the protagonist’s search for a treasure in British India. Rahi Anil Barve directs it. Tumbbad hit the screens in 2018 and soon gained a massive response.
On the other hand, Kantara is an action-thriller that celebrates the traditional culture of Kambla and Buta Kola. Its cast is headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kishore, Achyuth Kumar, Prakash Thuminad, Pramod Shetty, and Naveen D Padil, among others. Kantara emerged as a blockbuster and received positive reviews from many.
