India, Oct. 8 -- Actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty has addressed criticism about the portrayal of women in Kantara films. He shared that while female characters are crafted to be strong and impactful, their journeys are ultimately shaped by the story's demands.

He added that cinema often reflects society, and filmmakers cannot always modify narratives to fit external expectations.

In 2022 after the release of Kantara, the actor-filmmaker faced intense backlash for a scene in which he pinched his heroine's waist without her consent. He looked back at the criticism in an interview with Times Now, and spoke about the context behind the act.

"In it, there was Shiva's journey, who is not just a hero but also a villain. People misunderstood him,...