Ranbir Kapoor Admits He Found His Character In Animal 'Extremely Scary': He Is Someone Volatile & Emotional

Ranbir Kapoor revealed that stepping into Animal left Ranbir Kapoor feeling "extremely scary", even though the film later turned into one of the highest-grossing Hindi releases. Speaking at a special screening held before the film’s Japan release, Ranbir Kapoor credited director Sandeep Reddy Vanga for the trust that helped Ranbir Kapoor attempt such a violent and intense part.

Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, created a strong buzz when it arrived in Indian cinemas and went on to become a massive box office success. The film’s global response, especially to its family storyline, has given Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga continued attention as they present the film to more international audiences.

Ranbir Kapoor Animal journey and fear of the role

Recalling the first narration, Ranbir Kapoor said, "I must credit Sandeep for seeing me in a character like this. As was mentioned, I was always playing the lover boy, coming-of-age characters. But when I heard Animal, when Sandeep narrated it to me, I found the character extremely scary for an actor like me to approach. But with a lot of confidence from the director's side, I think that instilled confidence in me too." This shift from romantic roles pushed Ranbir Kapoor into unfamiliar territory.

Ranbir Kapoor then explained how Ranbir Kapoor viewed the character at the heart of Animal. Ranbir Kapoor said the role seemed layered, dangerous and yet rooted in family ties, which challenged Ranbir Kapoor’s usual screen image and added an emotional centre that appealed to audiences across different countries.

Ranbir Kapoor Animal character and universal family emotion

Speaking of his character, Ranbir added, "I think he is someone who is protective. He is volatile, deeply emotional, and will take extreme measures to protect his family. I think that is an emotion we can connect with in any part of the world. Whenever Animal was released all over the world, we really got that response; people really connected with the family story. That is what really excited me as an actor." This emotional core helped Animal resonate widely.

Ranbir Kapoor also underlined that the father-son bond in Animal shaped Ranbir Kapoor’s performance more than its violence. Many viewers focused on the action, yet Ranbir Kapoor felt the narrative strength came from the fragile, distant relationship between father and son, an experience Ranbir Kapoor believes many from Ranbir Kapoor’s generation understand well.

Ranbir Kapoor Animal collaboration with Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Discussing Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Ranbir Kapoor said, "I really loved his (Sandeep) previous work. He made one film, in Telugu and then in Hindi. I met him for the first time, and it is a rare time when you connect with somebody. I connected with him as a person. I connected with what he was trying to say through the story." This early bond convinced Ranbir Kapoor to trust the demanding role.

Ranbir Kapoor continued, "This may seem like a very intense, action-oriented, bloodied film, but I think the core emotion, the father-son emotion, was something that a lot of men from my generation… we grew up with that distance from our father. So I think I really connected with that deep emotion. It was one of my most treasured and memorable collaborations that I had with a director in my career." For Ranbir Kapoor, Animal stands out as a personal milestone.

After Animal, Ranbir Kapoor is returning to this world with Animal Park. The sequel again brings Ranbir Kapoor and Sandeep Reddy Vanga together, with plans that stretch beyond a single follow-up. The project is intended to build on the violent saga introduced in the first film, while expanding its story across several parts.

In a conversation with Deadline Hollywood, Ranbir Kapoor spoke about Animal Park and the larger plan for the franchise. When asked if Animal Park is in production, Ranbir Kapoor said, "The director is right now making another film. We should start that film in 2027. It's a bit away." The actor confirmed that fans will have to wait a few years before cameras roll.

When questioned about how much Ranbir Kapoor has heard of the script, Ranbir Kapoor replied, "He (Reddy Vanga) just kind of flirted with what he really wants to do with the movie. He wants to make it in three parts. The second part is called Animal Park." The comments indicate that Animal is planned as a three-part saga, with Animal Park serving as the middle chapter.

As Ranbir Kapoor balances the Animal world with other work, the next few years appear carefully mapped. Ranbir Kapoor is currently juggling large projects that span mythology, history and intense drama, showing a deliberate move towards challenging material during this phase of Ranbir Kapoor’s career.

As of 2026, Ranbir Kapoor is busy with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War, a period drama set in the 1960s that also stars Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, scheduled to release in June 2026. Later in 2026, Ranbir Kapoor will feature in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part One, portraying Lord Ram in the opening chapter of the planned adaptation.

Project	Director	Co-stars / Key Detail	Planned Timeline
Animal	Sandeep Reddy Vanga	One of the highest-grossing Hindi films	Released in Indian theatres before Japan rollout
Animal Park (Part Two)	Sandeep Reddy Vanga	Second chapter of planned three-part saga	Filming expected to start in 2027
Love & War	Sanjay Leela Bhansali	With Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal	Release slated for June 2026
Ramayana: Part One	Nitesh Tiwari	Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram	Expected later in 2026

From being known for lighter, romantic roles to leading Animal, Ranbir Kapoor has shifted towards darker, more demanding characters. The success of Animal, the planned Animal Park trilogy, and projects like Love & War and Ramayana: Part One show that Ranbir Kapoor is entering one of the busiest and most ambitious stretches of Ranbir Kapoor’s film career.