When Vidya Balan told Thappad actor Pavail Gulati, ‘I hate you; and I hate myself for liking you in the end’

Vidya Balan is among the latest stars to have liked Taapsee Pannu’s Thappad. She had some special words of appreciation for its male lead, Pavail Gulati.

Actor Vidya Balan called up Pavail Gulati, the male lead in Taapsee Pannu’s Thappad, to congratulate him on his performance. She also expressed her true feelings for the character. In an interview to Mid Day, Pavail said how this would count as one of his most cherished feedbacks of the film.

Taapsee Pannu and Pavail Gulati in Thappad.

He said, “I had goosebumps while talking to her. She said, ‘I hate you; and I hate myself for liking you in the end’.” Pavail plays Taapsee’s otherwise loving husband, who in a fit of rage, slaps her. Their relationship never remains the same after that as Taapsee’s character, a loving housewife, simply can’t accept the changed equation between them and decides to walk out on him.

However, in chalking out the character, Pavail’s Vikram isn’t made out to be a villain of the piece. Speaking about his character, Pavail said, “Vikram was a layered character. Sir (director Anubhav Sinha) wanted him to [come across] as a nice guy so that he could be related to. We wanted people to hate him, but also sympathise with him.”

A scene from Thappad.

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Subsequently, a media report that mocked the film’s run at the box office also became controversial. According to the trade website koimoi.com, Thappad collected ₹22.79 crore in its first week, and a web portal reported the film’s box office show saying: “Audience gives TIGHT SLAP To #Thappad.” This led to the film’s director Anubhav Sinha heaping abuse. He later apologised for bad choice of words.

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