Gulshan Devaiah has shared his views on the growing portrayal of masculinity in Indian cinema. The actor questioned why so many films rely on beards and aggressive body language to define power.
Gulshan pointed out that almost every leading actor now follows the same visual template. He questioned the need for this repetition and referred to the ongoing trend as “ultra machismo”.
While discussing examples, he specifically mentioned Pushpa and questioned why everyone seems to be copying the same style. He added that there is nothing wrong with being clean-shaven and not every character needs to look dominant.
Although Gulshan played an ultra-macho role in Guns & Gulaabs, he clarified his stance. He said audiences should not blindly admire such characters and must remember that these roles often represent flawed personalities.
His remarks have once again sparked a debate on the portrayal of male characters in mainstream cinema. The trend of raw action films continues, with most superstars appearing in similar rugged looks.
A few years ago, Animal also created controversy before becoming a major success. The film further cemented the popularity of aggressive male leads.
Many believe Ranveer Singh played a key role in popularising this trend. He carried a similar look in Dhurandhar as well.
Online users have suggested alternative storytelling approaches. They believe scripts showing heroes as family-oriented characters could reduce the need for exaggerated displays of power.
However, another section argues that such films struggle at the box office without a major superstar. The larger question remains about who is willing to move away from the ultra-macho image.
For now, it remains to be seen whether Gulshan Devaiah’s comments will influence future storytelling or simply add fuel to an ongoing debate.
