Do you remember the scene in Pushpa 2 where Allu Arjun dressed up as a woman to participate in the Gangamma Jathara festival? Wearing a saree and bangles, the sequence was intended as a tribute to the vibrant and deeply rooted folk festival of Andhra Pradesh.
It definitely came off as a shock moment to many.
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Similarly, in his latest film Kesari 2, Akshay Kumar is seen in a Kathakali get-up, aiming to celebrate the culture and art of Kerala.
While these two films are quite different and have no apparent connection, some people on social media have accused both of using culture as a tool to attract audiences.
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They argued that, under the guise of cultural representation, filmmakers have been giving actors unconventional moments just to use as flashy clips in trailers to generate hype and social media buzz.
Whether or not the sequence serves the story seems to be irrelevant; the focus appears to be more on going viral than staying relevant to the narrative.
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In Pushpa 2, some appreciated Allu Arjun’s transformation, especially since it loosely tied into his character’s desire for a daughter. Rashmika’s monologue following the scene also added a bit of emotional weight.
But beyond sparking conversation and showcasing culture, many felt the scene didn’t hold much importance.
In Kesari 2, the portrayal of Akshay Kumar as a Kathakali dancer felt even more disconnected.
To begin with, there is no evidence that his character, C. Sankaran Nair, had any association with the dance form.
As a result, the scene felt like a forced addition meant solely to generate buzz, especially since the Kathakali look was highlighted in the trailer and on Akshay’s social media.
This made many question whether such portrayals are genuine attempts to celebrate culture or simply marketing gimmicks.
Some users even pointed out that when films led by hyper-masculine heroes feature such “unconventional” moments, it often feels like they’re just ticking a box rather than engaging in meaningful storytelling.
On the one hand, it’s progress that filmmakers are bringing diverse cultural elements to the big screen, but their true motives remain questionable to many.
