Mumbai: Actor Ranbir Kapoor, who made headlines recently after his actor-wife Alia Bhatt revealed he doesn't like her wearing lipstick, has addressed the criticism about him being an enabler of "toxic masculinity", saying that sometimes a lot of things are written about celebrities which are not necessarily true.
In the clips from Ranbir's online interaction with his fans on social media, the actor said he is on the side of those fighting toxic masculinity and it's ok if people want "to use me as the face of it". "Sometimes a lot of things are written about you as an actor, a lot of opinions are made which are not necessarily true and if you take it with a pinch of salt because this image of mine which has been created by the movies or the characters I play or by media is something that I don't own," he said.
"It's owned by the public, it's owned by people who like my work, who dislike my work and they are allowed to say anything about me as long as they give my work a chance, as long as I can prove to them as an actor, and that has always been my focus is just to act," said the actor. Ranbir, who is not on any social media platform, said he read articles about him being "toxic".
"... Something relating to some statement I made and I understand this. And, listen I am on the side of the people who are fighting (against) this toxic masculinity. I'm on the side of the people who are fighting (against) it, so if they want to use me as the face of it, it's fine because their fight is bigger than just me feeling bad about them having an opinion about what I said. I look at a larger picture," he added.
In an interview with a publication, Alia shared, "One thing my husband...when he wasn't my husband but when he was my boyfriend as well... he would be like 'wipe that off, wipe that off' because he loves the natural colour of my lips." A section of social media users took umbrage at the revelation and called Ranbir "toxic" and a "red flag" in the "Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva" co-stars' relationship.