Vishal Bhardwaj is confused about his feelings for Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal: I enjoyed it and at the same time I hated it

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal,’ boasting a star-studded ensemble including Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, and Bobby Deol, stormed into theatres in December, swiftly clinching blockbuster status. However, it was bombarded equally with criticism from both critics and viewers for its perceived misogyny and depiction of toxic masculinity. Now, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has weighed in on the controversial project, confessing a perplexing confusion in his response.

Vishal Bhardwaj about Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal

In a recent interview with First Post, director Vishal Bhardwaj opened up about his thoughts on the recently changing perspective of people and the way they observe cinema.

When asked about the audience changing over cinema and their choice of not glorifying a hero, the ‘Omkara’ director answered, “No. I think the recent hit film is Animal is all what you are saying is all there. And we have a typical hero too. That’s one of the biggest, hit of all times. People still watch, still want that kind of movie. It’s a big surprise that there is a huge audience for that kind of films as well.” He continued, “But at the same time, you see, a film like  Laapata Ladies and 12th Fail. Vidhu Vinod Chopra at the age of 71, made the most beautiful film of his life. And with Vikram Massey, you really don’t need stars these days.”

Bhardwaj candidly shared his conflicted sentiments about the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial. He said, “I have still not made up my mind what to feel about that film. Because I enjoyed it and at the same time I hated it.”

Bhardwaj closely observed a dichotomy in audience tastes, acknowledging the enduring success of films like ‘Animal’ despite evolving sensibilities. The film’s resounding commercial success underscores an ongoing demand for such content, despite its contentious themes. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, renowned for his work on ‘Kabir Singh,’ the action-packed drama delves into the turbulent father-son dynamic, captivating audiences over its sprawling 3-hour-and-21-minute runtime.

About Animal

Beyond its thematic controversies, ‘Animal’ also found resonance through its songs, with tracks like ‘Hua Main,’ ‘Satranga,’ ‘Pehle Bhi Main,’ and ‘Papa Meri Jaan’ resonating with listeners. The soundtrack, featuring diverse compositions, further solidified the film’s cultural impact, extending its reach beyond the silver screen. Despite the discourse surrounding its content, ‘Animal’ stands as a testament to cinema’s ability to provoke complex emotions and ignite fervent debate.

Also Read: Sandeep Reddy Vanga calls Adil Hussain GREEDY after he admits ‘regretting’ doing Shahid Kapoor starrer Kabir Singh