Amaal Mallik and Sandeep Reddy Vanga defend cinema following Andhra Pradesh chainsaw attack debate

Singer and music composer Amaal Mallik has entered the public debate over violent films following a brutal attack on a Class 10 student in Andhra Pradesh. The incident involved a 21-year-old man named Hemanth, who attacked the student with an electric chainsaw after she rejected his advances. Critics have pointed fingers at filmmakers like Sandeep Reddy Vanga, asking if such movies encourage real-world violence. Writing on X, Amaal stated that while films and music can influence young minds, cinema alone cannot be blamed for a person's illegal actions. He also listed films like Animal, Kabir Singh, Dhurandhar and KGF as movies he has enjoyed, though he admitted having issues with certain scenes.

Double Standards

Amaal questioned why people only blame movies while celebrating controversial song lyrics. He named his own tracks 'Kar Gayi Chull' and 'Rom Rom Romantic', alongside older hits like 'Beedi Jalaile', 'Pink Lips', 'Chikni Chameli' and 'Munni Badnaam', asking why reality shows feature them. He also pointed to rap music on YouTube and Instagram that glorifies power, murder and aggression. He urged parents to follow age ratings and keep infants away from 'A'-rated films, while arguing that a film is just a story and viewers must know the difference between fiction and reality.

Director's Response

Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga also posted a strong reaction on X earlier that day. Vanga stated that a heinous crime should draw empathy for the victim and an effort to understand the real problem instead of using cinema as a convenient scapegoat. He criticized frustrated actors, directors, and producers who act as social reformers to settle personal scores during a tragedy.

Context

Public debates over the influence of media on real-world behavior often surge in the wake of high-profile violent crimes in India. Filmmakers and artists frequently clash with critics over artistic freedom versus social responsibility. Such discussions typically examine how censorship, age ratings, and parental guidance interact with modern entertainment content across films, music videos, and social media platforms.