Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s latest movie, Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, has emerged as a lightning rod for controversy. Despite the movie’s tremendous success at the box office, it has been criticized, particularly concerning its portrayal of women. As the dust settles four months post-release, acclaimed director-composer Vishal Bharadwaj steps into the arena, offering his perspective on the polarizing flick.
‘I enjoyed it and at the same time I hated it.” Vishal Bharadwaj on Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal
Many before Vishal Bharadwaj have voiced their opinions regarding Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. From Bollywood’s Javed Akhtar to South’s Parvathy Thiruvothu, many have criticized the film’s thematic choices. However, amidst this whirlwind of opinions, Bhardwaj’s recent comments on Animal reflect a complex blend of appreciation and critique.
In a recent interview with Firstpost, Bhardwaj expressed his conflicting emotions towards the film. He confessed, “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.”
Delving deeper into his analysis, Bharadwaj elucidated the evolution of the stereotypical Bollywood hero, a motif central to Animal. “I think the recent hit film Animal is all that you are saying is there. And we have a typical hero, too. That’s one of the biggest hits of all time,” he remarked, highlighting the enduring appeal of conventional heroism in Indian cinema. Despite the surge of progressive storylines, the allure of the archetypal hero still exerts a formidable pull on audiences.
Yet, Bharadwaj was quick to acknowledge the diversity of preferences within the recent releases. He pointed to films like Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies and Vikrant Massey’s 12th Fail as examples of non-conventional cinema that resonates with viewers. “There is an audience for that kind of film as well,” Bharadwaj asserted, emphasizing the enduring appeal of storylines that defy the tropes of mainstream masala cinema.
