Why Is the Internet Calling Out Alia Bhatt Over Her “Male-Centric” Comments?
Alia Bhatt is currently at the center of a heated social media storm following her bold interview at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter India, Alia questioned why the Indian film industry is so obsessed with “male-centric” storytelling. She argued that filmmakers often ignore women by claiming that 75% of the audience is male. Her call for “gender-agnostic” movies—where the story matters more than the gender of the lead—was meant to be inspiring, but it quickly backfired. Netizens were quick to label her views as “selective feminism,” sparking a massive debate about whether she’s being inconsistent with her own public stance.
The backlash turned personal as fans brought up her husband Ranbir Kapoor’s blockbuster Animal, which many critics slammed for being hyper-masculine and misogynistic. Trolls are asking, “Where was this energy during Animal?” while others pointed out that she happily accepted the “Lady Amitabh Bachchan” tag when it suited her brand. Despite the #CannesHypocrisy trend, Alia’s supporters are defending her, noting that she “walks the talk” with female-led hits like Gangubai Kathiawadi and her 2026 release Jigra. Whether you see her as a hypocrite or a trailblazer, Alia has certainly succeeded in making everyone talk about the future of Indian cinema.
