Animal Controversy | Lyricist Swanand Kirkire BLASTS Ranbir Kapoor & Sandeep Reddy Vanga: Felt Pity For…

Animal Controversy: Following the massive success of Shahid Kapoor's Kabir Singh, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga made a successful return to the silver screen with his latest release Animal. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles, the highly anticipated film hit theaters on Friday, December 1, and has made a significant impact at the box office.

Produced by T-Series Films, Bhadrakali Pictures, and Cine1 Studios, Animal achieved an extraordinary opening on Friday, despite its adult-oriented theme, raking in Rs 116 crore worldwide. The action-thriller has already amassed Rs 236 crore globally in just two days and is anticipated to experience another substantial surge on December 3.

As the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer continues its dream run, crossing the Rs. 200 crore mark at the domestic box office on Day 3, the graphic depiction of gore and violence within the film has ignited controversy among those who perceive cinema as a collective medium with the power to influence society and shape culture.

SWANAND KIRKIRE CALLS ANIMAL 'REGRESSIVE'

Through a series of tweets, well-known lyricist Swanand Kirkire conveyed his unease after watching the film, asserting that, in his perspective, the movie signifies a regression.

In his initial tweet, he cited films and directors who have portrayed women with utmost regard and respect. His examples included works such as Mehboob Khan's Aurat, Guru Dutt's Saheb Biwi aur Ghulam, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anupama, Shyam Benegal's Ankur and Bhumika, Ketan Mehta's Mirch Masala, Sudhir Mishra's Main Zinda Hoon, Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish, among other iconic films known for strong female characters.

He also highlighted specific audience reactions during the screening, particularly women applauding scenes where Rashmika Mandanna's character, Geetanjali, was subjected to gaslighting, belittlement, and ridicule by her on-screen husband, played by Ranbir.

In translated tweets from Hindi, he expressed, "After watching the movie Animal, I really felt pity for the women of today's generation. Now, a new man has been prepared for you, who is more scary, who does not respect you that much and who aims to subdue you, suppress you and feels proud of himself. When you, the girls of today's generation, were sitting in that cinema hall and applauding Rashmika, I in my mind paid tribute to every idea of equality. I have come home desperate, dejected, and weak."

Continuing the criticism, Kirkire spotlighted a scene where Ranbir takes a dig at the concept of vulnerable men. In this specific moment, Ranbir's character dismisses men who struggle to assert their masculinity and resort to speaking poetically about bringing the moon and stars for their women. Kirkire asks, "I am a poet! I do poetry to live. Is there a place for me? A film is making a lot of money, and the glorious history of Indian cinema is being embarrassed. In my understanding, this film will determine the future of Indian cinema afresh, in a different, terrible, and dangerous direction."

ANIMAL STORYLINE & CAST

For those who are unaware, Animal delves into the complex dynamics of a rich father and his son with anger issues, set against a backdrop of revenge and violence. In addition to Ranbir and Rashmika, the film boasts an ensemble cast that includes Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Tripti Dimri, Charu Shankar, Saloni Batra, Anshul Chauhan, Siddhant Karnick, Shakti Kapoor, Suresh Oberoi, and Prem Chopra.