Soundarya Sharma Defends Housefull 5 Against Misogyny Accusations, Cites Baahubali And Animal (Image: X/Soundarya Sharma)
As Housefull 5 continues to draw big numbers at the box office, the film has also sparked intense backlash online, particularly for its portrayal of women, which many viewers and critics have called sexist and objectifying. In the middle of this controversy stands actor Soundarya Sharma, who plays a pivotal role in the comedy franchise’s fifth instalment.
Speaking to Entertainment Live and later in an exclusive interview with IANS, Soundarya addressed the criticism directly. Defending the film, she said, “It depends on every individual’s perspective. I don’t mix my own vision with what my director wants me to do. The film was made on a lighter note. All these characters are just reflections of our own society.”
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Citing examples from iconic films like Animal, Baahubali, Guide, and Pakeezah, Soundarya noted that even revered cult classics have faced similar criticisms in the past. “People had disagreements with those films too,” she said, suggesting that debates around gender portrayal in cinema are not new.
However, this response hasn’t gone down well with everyone. On Reddit, X and other social media platforms, users expressed disappointment, accusing the actor of “deflecting” genuine criticism and failing to acknowledge how mass entertainers like Housefull 5 can normalise outdated gender stereotypes.
this paid PR nonsense is gross. in yt reviews for housefull 5 everyone’s ripping it apart. the movie is a cheap, sleazy, over-sexualized mess, packed with crass, disgusting sex jokes that make your skin crawl. And to top it all off, it’s a shameless ripoff of some Hollywood movie https://t.co/nAItS8x59C
— 𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗶 (@cokee33cakee) June 8, 2025
15 years of comedy,confusion & chaos!
And this weekend,you gave us a reminder of why we do it🫶🏻
Celebrating this milestone with full hearts & #Housefull shows❤Watch #Housefull5 in your nearest cinemas!Book your tickets today!https://t.co/uRi9pupecPhttps://t.co/ArcAhu0XmR pic.twitter.com/q0NQXoo4KA
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) June 9, 2025
Meanwhile, Soundarya had only praise for her co-star Akshay Kumar, calling him “disciplined, punctual, and incredibly quick on camera.” She shared one valuable piece of advice he gave her during the shoot: “No work is big or small. One needs to just keep working.”
Also, read| “Akshay Carries It”: Housefull 5 Leaves Netizens Laughing, Confused & Divided
Akshay Kumar also shared a behind-the-scenes video earlier this week of him rehearsing the track “Dil E Nadaan” from the film, thanking fans for the “love and laughs” the film has received since its release on June 6, 2025.
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 boasts a massive ensemble cast including Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Riteish Deshmukh, Sonam Bajwa, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Chitrangada Singh, Fardeen Khan, and Johnny Lever, among others.
