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Kabir Singh

Kabir Singh is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kabir Singh is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani. It is a remake of Vanga’s Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017) and follows a talented surgeon whose life unravels after a painful breakup. The film drew mixed reviews and significant public debate, while also becoming a major box-office success.

Plot

The story follows Kabir, a gifted but volatile surgeon, whose emotional decline begins after his relationship with Preeti ends when she is married off to someone else. The film tracks his descent into addiction and self-destruction.

Production and release

Kabir Singh was produced by T-Series Films and Cine1 Studios and released in India on 21 June 2019. It marked Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Hindi-language directorial debut.

Reception and controversy

The film received mixed critical reviews but strong commercial performance. It also became controversial because of criticism that it normalised misogyny, toxic masculinity, and abusive behaviour, leading to public debate around its portrayal of romance and masculinity.

Box office performance

Kabir Singh was a major commercial success, earning over ₹379 crore worldwide. It was among the biggest Hindi-language hits of 2019 and the top solo-lead grosser of Shahid Kapoor’s career.

Key facts

  • Kabir Singh is a Hindi remake of the Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017), directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
  • The film stars Shahid Kapoor as a surgeon whose life becomes self-destructive after a breakup.
  • It grossed over ₹379 crore worldwide, becoming the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2019.
  • The film sparked controversy for allegedly normalising misogyny and toxic masculinity.
  • It marked Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Hindi cinema debut as director, co-writer, and co-editor.
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Canadian context

Kabir Singh has relevance for Canadian readers as part of the global circulation of Hindi-language cinema and South Asian popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kabir Singh about?
It is about Kabir, a talented surgeon whose life spirals into alcohol, drugs, and self-destruction after his girlfriend is forced to marry someone else.
Who directed Kabir Singh?
Kabir Singh was directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Who is in the Kabir Singh cast?
The main cast includes Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, and Nikita Dutta.
What was the Kabir Singh controversy?
The film was criticised for allegedly glorifying misogyny, toxic masculinity, and abusive behaviour, which sparked debate about its message and portrayal of romance.
How did Kabir Singh perform at the box office?
It grossed over ₹379 crore worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 2019.
Is Kabir Singh a remake?
Yes. It is a remake of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017).

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabir_Singh
    Supports: Release date, synopsis, cast, remake status, box office, and general film details.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kabir_singh
    Supports: Director, producers, genre, release date, and synopsis.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8983202/
    Supports: Director, writers, stars, and plot description.