While Housefull 5 is raking in big numbers at the box office, it’s also sparking a heated debate off-screen. The Akshay Kumar-starrer has drawn criticism for its sexist and politically incorrect humour, prompting director Tarun Mansukhani to break his silence.

In a recent interview, he addressed the backlash and defended the film’s controversial tone, calling it a creative choice rooted in the characters—not a reflection of real-life beliefs.In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Tarun directly addressed the backlash. Defending the film’s controversial humour and tone, he explained that the characters are intentionally flawed and not meant to be role models. He emphasized that portraying sexist or misogynistic characters in a murder mystery doesn’t reflect the views of the actors, director, or producers, but simply serves the story being told.Further defending his stance, the director pointed out that the film also pokes fun at its male characters. He noted that scenes featuring male leads—like Dino being naked in two sequences and others showing their butts—are rarely called out, questioning why criticism is only aimed at sexism toward women. He added that the backlash doesn’t bother him, as his focus while making Housefull 5 was purely on entertaining the audience and earning their appreciation—not on anticipating reactions to the film’s content.Despite mixed to negative reviews, Housefull 5 has proven its box office strength, crossing the Rs 200 crore mark globally within just a week of its release.