Chitrangda Singh, one of the actresses in the recently released "Housefull 5," has entered the ongoing discussion surrounding the film's humor, which has been described by some as sexist and objectifying towards women. While acknowledging that certain jokes might not resonate with everyone, Singh has defended the film, characterizing it as a "family entertainer."
The comedy, which hit theaters on June 6, 2025, has been a box office success, earning over Rs 130 crore nett in India during its first week and crossing the Rs 200 crore mark globally. However, it has also faced criticism for its reliance on outdated tropes, depiction of women as "eye candy," and use of double entendres and innuendo, particularly aimed at women and queer characters. Some critics have pointed out that the female cast, including Soundarya Sharma, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, and Sonam Bajwa, primarily serve to support the male leads, with limited depth or agency.
Singh addressed these concerns in an interview with Zoom, stating, "I do think 'Housefull 5' is a family entertainer. Yes, there are jokes and humour that people might not enjoy as much, but I feel every film has its own tone and metre of what the dialogues are and what the tone of the film is. This is that kind of film. Then there's 'Hera Pheri', 'Golmaal' and many more. Every film has its own metre when it comes to humour." She also noted that "Every family also has different dynamics. It is for you to go and find whether you like it or not. Everyone is entitled to have an opinion, I am not defending anything."
The actress further drew comparisons to Adam Sandler films like "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" and "Pink Panther," suggesting that "Housefull 5" should not be judged by the same standards as more serious films. "Every film can't be an 'Airlift', and an 'Airlift' can't be a 'Housefull 5'. There are different kinds of entertainment," she said.
Director Tarun Mansukhani has also responded to the criticism, arguing that the film's characters are intentionally flawed and that their actions do not reflect the beliefs of the actors, director, or producers. He highlighted that the film pokes fun at its male characters as well, questioning why the criticism is primarily focused on sexism towards women. Mansukhani stated that his focus was on entertaining the audience, not on anticipating reactions to the film's content.
Soundarya Sharma, another actress in the film, echoed similar sentiments, stating that audience perception varies and that she simply portrayed the role as it was written. She added that the trolling around the film is contributing to its visibility.
Despite the defenses, some argue that "Housefull 5" exemplifies Bollywood's continued struggle with portraying women in a meaningful and respectful way. Critics argue that strong representation requires giving female characters stories, voices, and purposes beyond being love interests, and avoiding sexualization as a substitute for empowerment. Some have noted that the film had to cut 11 seconds of "sensual visuals and double-meaning dialogue" to get a U/A certificate, but that these edits barely scratch the surface of the problem.
The debate surrounding "Housefull 5" highlights the ongoing tension between commercial success and responsible representation in Bollywood cinema. While the film's box office numbers suggest that audiences are still receptive to this type of humor, the backlash indicates a growing demand for more nuanced and inclusive storytelling.
