- By Ridhi Suri
- Tue, 27 Aug 2024 08:32 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Animal, continues to spark discussion long after its debut. The film features an ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri. The story centers on the son of a powerful industrialist, who, after surviving an attempt on his father’s life, embarks on a vengeful and destructive quest that further strains their already troubled relationship. The film, which received a range of reactions from audiences, has been criticised for promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny. Now, Farhan Akhtar has weighed in on the movie. He expressed that Animal did not resonate with him personally, finding Ranbir's portrayal of Ranvijay Singh to be 'problematic.'
Farhan said, "The film didn't do much for me. Is it something that I would recommend somebody to watch, I guess not." When asked if he had the opportunity to produce Animal, he answered, "No, I won't. it doesn't resonate with me. For me, I feel that the character is problematic."
The actor-filmmaker noted that it's not appropriate for him to dictate the dos and don’ts of filmmaking to other directors, emphasising that each filmmaker has their own unique journey. He also shared that Animal did not resonate with him on a personal level but acknowledged that Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s dedication to the film is "commendable." Farhan praised Vanga’s commitment, speculating that despite some negative feedback about the storyline, latter remained steadfast in his desire to direct Animal in 2023.
About Animal
Animal premiered in theaters on December 1, 2023, in both standard and IMAX formats. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its cast performances, music, action sequences, and technical aspects but criticised its writing, themes, and graphic violence. Some reviewers accused Sandeep Reddy Vanga of glorifying toxic masculinity and misogyny.
Despite the mixed critical reception, Animal performed exceptionally well at the box office, both domestically and internationally. It grossed ₹917 crore worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film, and the ninth highest-grossing Indian film overall.
In Animal, Ranbir Kapoor stars as Ranvijay Singh, the son of powerful industrialist Balbir Singh, played by Anil Kapoor. Vijay, known for his aggression, returns to India to avenge an assassination attempt on his father. After a series of violent confrontations, including a showdown in Scotland, Vijay learns that Abrar Haque (Bobby Deol), the film's antagonist, is his cousin. The film ends with Vijay's father apologising for his lack of affection, while Vijay faces further revenge threats from a disguised enemy in a post-credits scene.