Vanga’s films have consistently been criticized for glorifying toxic male characters. In ‘Arjun Reddy’ and its Hindi remake ‘Kabir Singh,’ the titular characters are portrayed as obsessive lovers who resort to verbal abuse, physical violence, and controlling behavior toward women. These depictions sparked widespread debates about normalizing misogyny in cinema.
One of the most controversial moments came when Vanga defended a scene in ‘Kabir Singh’ where the protagonist slaps the female lead. He stated, “If you can’t slap, touch, kiss, or cuss your woman, I don’t see any emotion there.” This remark drew sharp criticism from audiences and feminists alike, who accused him of perpetuating harmful stereotypes about relationships