Vishal Bhardwaj Defends Use of Slang in Films, Calls Abusive Language ‘Poetry in the Right Context’

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has spoken out in support of the open use of slang and abusive language in cinema, arguing that such words should not be censored or muted if they are essential to storytelling.

Speaking at the trailer launch of his upcoming film O’Romeo, Bhardwaj shared his belief that swear words, when used meaningfully, add authenticity and depth to characters. He said that censoring them with beeps takes away their impact.

“I feel gaalis in films shouldn’t be ‘beep, beep, beep.’ They should be spoken exactly as they are meant to be,” Vishal said.

He also called out what he described as societal hypocrisy. “We hear these abuses every day on the streets, but when they appear in cinema, suddenly people say films are corrupting society. Cinema is not here to reform you. Cinema is a mirror of society—it reflects who we really are,” he added.

Expanding on his view, Bhardwaj said that violence and abusive language shown in films already exist in real life. “If there is violence in cinema today, it’s because violence exists in society. And when it comes to abuses, I believe there is poetry even in them, if they are used properly and honestly,” he said.

The director also revealed how he approached veteran actress Farida Jalal regarding the use of strong language in O’Romeo. He said he explained the necessity of the dialogue to her character.

“I told Farida ji upfront that the scene involved abusive language. She asked if it was very harsh, and I told her that the language was essential to the character,” Vishal explained.

He further added that Shahid’s character in the film is feared by the entire city and even the underworld, but becomes completely powerless in front of his grandmother. “That contrast defined the role, and Farida ji understood and accepted it,” he said.