Released in 2023, Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. However, it also faced backlash for its violent and explicit content, as well as its portrayal of toxic masculinity.
The film, which starred Ranbir Kapoor alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Tripti Dimri, attracted significant attention. Initially, Javed Akhtar had criticized the success of films like Animal, calling it a “dangerous trend.” However, the writer has since clarified that his criticism was directed at the audience who supported the film, not the film itself.
In a recent interview with an Indian media outlet, Akhtar explained that while society does not progress uniformly, there are certain overarching themes that must be considered. He acknowledged that Animal exists within this context.
Akhtar emphasized that the film’s success revealed the audience’s preferences in cinema. “I didn’t criticize Animal; I spoke about the audience that watched it. If a few filmmakers create movies with wrong values, or if some make inappropriate songs, that’s not the issue. The real problem arises when such content becomes a blockbuster,” he stated.
Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao had also expressed mixed feelings about the film, admitting he enjoyed the overall experience but had issues with certain scenes. “I loved Animal, I enjoyed it. Did I have issues with some scenes? Maybe. But did I not enjoy the film? Of course, I did,” Rao remarked.
