Cinema holds a
mirror to society, reflecting a vast
spectrum of personalities and human behaviour. When it comes to
identifying the character types, we often label fictional figures as
‘green-flag’ or ‘red-flag’ characters, based on their morality,[ behaviour, and the impact they
have on others.' Green-flag”
characters portray positive traits like
kindness, respect and emotional intelligence whereas ‘red-flag’ characters embody, problematic
behaviours such as toxicity, manipulation or disregard for other’s feelings.
Actors and Actresses, bring these
characters to life, often switching
between the green flag roles or the red flag roles, showing the range of
skills and how different characters can resonate with audiences. Let's take a look
at some of the actor's performances in Indian cinema portraying green flag roles
and red flag roles.
Shahid Kapoor: Aditya Kashyap
(Jab We Met) vs. Kabir Singh (Kabir Singh):
Green Flag: Aditya Kashyap:
In
the movie called Jab We Met, Shahid Kapoor plays the
character, Aditya Kashyap who is a great businessman but
emotionally drained in his personal life. He embarks on a
journey of self-discovery with the
vivacious Geet. Aditya’s character is
almost a green flag in every sense. He is
kind-hearted, understanding,
and respectful towards Geet’s choices. His transformation from a gloomy, lost
individual to a supportive friend and eventually a loving partner is handled
with grace and emotional maturity. Aditya encourages Geet to be herself, supports her dreams, and never forces his
feelings on her, making him a character with admirable traits.
Red Flag:
Kabir Singh:
On
the other end of the spectrum, is the character of Kabir
Alia Bhatt: Kaira (Dear Zindagi) vs. Veera Tripathi (Highway):
Green Flag:
Kaira:
In Dear Zindagi's film, Alia Bhatt plays the
character named Kaira who is a successful cinematographer dealing with mental
health issues and personal insecurities. Kaira’s character is
not without flaws, but her journey towards self-awareness, emotional growth and
seeking therapy make her a green flag. She acknowledges
her problems, works
on them and learns to navigate relationships with maturity. The portrayal of Kaira breaks the
stigma surrounding mental health and emphasizes the importance of addressing
emotional wounds healthily.
Red Flag:
Veera Tripathi:
Alia’s
character in Highway is complex,
and though Veera isn’t inherently a red flag In terms of toxic behaviour, her reactions and
decisions can be problematic in certain contexts. After being kidnapped, Veera forms a bond
with her captor leading to a Stockholm syndrome-like situation. While Veera’s trauma and her emotional journey are central to the narrative, her attachment to
her abductor blurs the lines of a healthy relationship, leading to morally
ambiguous behaviours. It showcases how
deep-rooted trauma can judge and make one
overlook dangerous situations.
Ranbir Kapoor: Bunny (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) vs. Ved (Tamasha):