Even as gender tussles and misogynist elements are fueling debates on social circles, director Kamal has now stirred a hornet's nest by making a comment on the change of cast for the lead role in his upcoming film Aami.
He made the controversial statement in an interview to a website over a question on Vidaya Balan's unexpected exit from the project and Manju Warrier's entry to don the role of celebrated writer Madhavikkutty.
Kamal said he was only happy about Vidya Balan's exit from the project and that she would have only added a sexual appeal to the character in Aami.
Vidya Balan was not excluded from Aami. She had withdrawn from the project on her volition. That was not because of the dislike for the story or the character, but due to some external influences, Kamal said. He added that he was happy now as Manju had done the character of Madhavikkuty in a way far better than how he envisioned it.
Had it been Vidya, there would have been some sexual undertones to the character, Kamal said and added that it was an aspect he had overlooked. But since it has been enacted by Manju a character of Madhavikkutty who conversed in common Thrissur slang has been portrayed. Though noted internationally, Madhavikkutty was a simple Malayali woman. Manju suited the character of such an artist better than Vidya Balan, he said.
Looking back Vidya's recuse seems to be a blessing in disguise, Kamal said and added he was happy that has been able to portray the character of Madhavikutty in a better way than what he had imagined.