In Sekhar Kammula’s Cinema men are nice, but is that enough ??
Filmmaker Sekhar Kammula recently made a statement that stirred mixed responses: although he writes strong female leads, he feels the men in his films should be celebrated, because they are “nice” and “give women space.”
But critics ask — is that enough?
In an industry where true feminist representation is still scarce, applauding male characters simply for not being patriarchal can feel like setting the bar too low. Is decency now so rare that it must be rewarded on-screen? When men like Varun (Fidaa) are praised for taking care of the house or not imposing on their sister-in-law’s choices, are we normalizing the bare minimum?
Yes, in Sekhar Kammula’s cinema men — from Ram in Godavari to Srinu in Dollar Dreams — are respectful and progressive. The real celebration should be of the women who lead with confidence, rather than the men who “allow” them to.
As audiences become more conscious of gender dynamics in cinema, simply being a “nice guy” doesn’t automatically make one a feminist hero. While Kammula’s intentions are admirable, it may be time to ask for more from male characters — not just space-givers, but active allies in the journey toward equality.
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