Don't Think We've Shied Away From It: Shashank Khaitan on Caste Politics in Dhadak

Basking in the success of Dhadak, director Shashank Khaitan says he did not brush aside the the caste angle of Marathi film Sairat, but still he is aware about the criticism and promises to be more sensitive towards such subjects.

Dhadak has done good business, but is being panned for whitewashing the caste politics, which was at the central theme of its source material.

"We did not use the words to verbalise it, but cinema is an audio-visual medium so I thought we have visually achieved it. Apparently, we should have been bit more open about it," Khaitan said when asked about the criticism surrounding the film.

"It is a lesson learnt. I don't think we brushed it aside. I don't think we have shied away from it. Maybe, we have not been in your face. Next time, when I approach a topic like that I will be more sensitive," he added.

Shashank was talking at the success press conference of Dhadak on Thursday.

The director said the end of the film shows their sensitivity towards the issue and their aim was to make people think about topics like honour killing.

"Our film doesn't give an answer, but it makes you think. And what is the moral responsibility that we all need to think. Such incidents (honour killings) do happen almost every day, there is no answer to this and I don't know when this will end. We are trying to say this is wrong. It should stop.... We all are looking for that answer."

Producer Karan Johar said he was not "nervous" about remaking the blockbuster Sairat; he was "petrified".

"I was not nervous, I was petrified and I still am. Every time you touch a piece of art and recreate it and adapt it, there is always a mental fear. This is not anywhere meant to be compared to 'Sairat', it is a fan boy's homage to the original source material," Johar said.

"I see so many people watching Sairat after Dhadak. It is an achievement of a homage, of a fan. You can never compare it with the brilliance of that film," he added. Lead actors Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter are elated with the success of the film.

"The success means the world to me. I wish to achieve love and acceptance. I think I still have a long way to go," said Janhvi who made her acting debut with the film.