With director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’, Ranbir Kapoor says he transitioned from a “boy to a man,” but at what cost? For the first time, Kapoor has detailed the mixed reception of the revenge epic, which, despite harsh criticism, became the biggest hit of his career.
‘Animal’ sparked a social media debate, with voices like Javed Akhtar and Swanand Kirkire criticising its perceived misogyny and violence. Similar to Vanga's previous hit ‘Kabir Singh’, the film's gender politics remained a hot topic after its December release. In an interview with Nikhil Kamath, Ranbir Kapoor discussed the fallout, revealing industry insiders expressed disappointment in his involvement. Kapoor defended the film's intent as entertainment but acknowledged the criticism, stating, "Social media played havoc. The hard work gets diminished by these tags." He added, "I quietly apologise and say, 'Sorry, I won't do it next time.' I don't argue; I just aim to do better."
Ranbir Kapoor revealed that despite ‘Animal’ becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever, he was initially "very scared" when offered the role. He took on the film to break free from his "good boy" image and challenge himself with a bold, adult-rated story. While the film did well, it faced criticism for perceived misogyny.
Asked if he would do it again, Ranbir affirmed he would. "I was stagnating in my career, often called the 'next superstar,' but without continuous blockbusters, I couldn't claim that title. ‘Animal’ was the right film at the right time, helping me transition from a boy to a man and boosting my confidence."
