Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Josh’ has shattered stereotypes, redefined masculinity, and charmed BO too – Economic Times

In a day and age where Bollywood heroes have bulging biceps, chiselled abs, oily pecs and are generally overflowing with copious amounts of testosterone, Vicky Kaushal is a breath of fresh air a new-age actor who relies solely on his craft and not on his physique.

While a Tiger Shroff does gymnastics and jumps off high buildings, a Salman Khan goes shirtless at the drop of a hat, it was high time that there came an actor in the Indian film industry whose modus operandi was not to titillate the female audience and set unrealistic body goals for men, but to hone his skills and portray realistic characters on screen. Vicky, has done precisely that.

Vicky Kaushal is a breath of fresh air a new-age actor who relies solely on his craft and not on his physique. (Image Courtesy: BCCL)

Apart from shattering stereotypes by not adhering to the macho man image Bollywood perpetuates, Kaushal has redefined the notions of masculinity by flawlessly portraying men who arent manly going by conventional standards. These are men who arent afraid to be vulnerable, who treat the women in their lives with utmost respect and for once, arent fueled by revenge.

Meghna Gulzars Raazi (2018) is one film that earned widespread acclaim not just because of its portrayal of Sehmat, but also for the way Vicky portrayed Iqbal Syed, a Pakistani military officer who, as the audiences find out as the film progresses, is anything but a brash, rude male chauvinist that we are so used to seeing on the celluloid.

If masculinity was a spectrum, Shahid Kapoors Kabir Singh and Vickys Iqbal Syed would lie at the two opposite ends of it. Iqbal treated his wife, Sehmat, like a gentleman fully knowing that Sehmat wouldnt be comfortable consummating their marriage on the wedding night, he gave her a separate bed to sleep in.

His range is unparalleled from rom-coms and horror to action and crime films, the Punjabi munda with the quintessential Punjabi looks has done it all. (Image Courtesy: BCCL)

Over the days following their wedding, Iqbal gives Sehmat her personal space, doesnt intrude upon her privacy and doesnt as much force her to strike a conversation, unless she is comfortable. In a world full of Kabir Singhs ready to sexually assault women at knifepoint, Vickys Iqbal has set the benchmark for male characters rather high.

Even while playing the role of Major Vihaan Singh Shergill in Aditya Dhar directorial Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), Vicky wasnt afraid to show his vulnerable side. While some might mistake his Hows the josh warcry to be an expression of masculine nationalism, it was a rather balanced attempt at reclaiming patriotism, something which is often misunderstood in the contemporary political context.

From playing a part-time DJ in Anurag Kashyaps Manmarziyaan to an ambitious IT engineer in Anand Tiwaris Love Per Square Foot, Vicky isnt afraid to tap into his sensitive side and display raw emotion on camera. His range is unparalleled from rom-coms and horror to action and crime films, the Punjabi munda with the quintessential Punjabi looks has done it all.

One can almost imagine Vickys successful streak continuing for years to come and it wouldnt be particularly surprising if at the end of his journey, when asked Hows The Josh, he would proudly exclaim High Sir!. (Image Courtesy: BCCL)

To some, his meteoric rise to fame, success and subsequent National Award win might come as a surprise it may seem that it has happened too soon but a closer look at Vickys filmography reveals how much the 32-year-old has grown over the course of time, both as an actor and a person.

One can almost imagine Vickys successful streak continuing for years to come and it wouldnt be particularly surprising if at the end of his journey, when asked Hows The Josh, he would proudly exclaim High Sir!.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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Vicky Kaushal's 'Josh' has shattered stereotypes, redefined masculinity, and charmed BO too - Economic Times