Sandeep Reddy Vanga questions Bollywood’s praise for Ranbir Kapoor but criticism of Animal, calls out industry bias.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Ranbir Kapoor on the sets of Animal.
Despite Animal becoming a massive box office hit, the film faced heavy criticism for allegedly glorifying violence and male chauvinism. Recently, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga addressed this backlash, pointing out how many in the industry praised Ranbir Kapoor’s performance while criticising the film itself.
In a new interview with Komal Nahta for Game Changers, Vanga opened up about the industry’s reaction to Animal. He spoke about the apparent disparity in how critics perceived the film versus its lead actor.
“One thing I’ll tell you—film-related people criticized Animal very badly. But everybody says, ‘Ranbir to tod diya (Ranbir has killed it).’ See, I’m not jealous of Ranbir, but the point is—Ranbir to tod diya, but the writer-director ruined it? I don’t understand that disparity,” Vanga remarked.
He further explained that people in the industry hesitate to criticise Ranbir because they want to work with him, whereas he, as a filmmaker, is easier to target.
“Toh jiske saath kaam zyada hai, unke bare mein kuch bolenge nahin (So they won’t speak against someone they have to work with),” he added.
Vanga also noted the difference in career trajectories between actors and directors, saying that filmmakers release movies every few years, whereas actors appear in multiple films within the same time frame.
During the interview, Vanga was also asked if he ever felt like an outsider in Bollywood, given his previous work in the South Indian film industry. He responded by dismissing the idea of insiders versus outsiders, stating that while others in the industry might hold such perceptions, he does not believe in those distinctions.
Released in December 2023, Animal starred Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol, Saurabh Sachdeva, and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles. The action-packed drama was widely appreciated for its performances, especially Ranbir’s intense transformation, but also drew criticism for its themes.
Looking ahead, Vanga and his team are gearing up for Animal Park, the sequel to Animal. While details remain under wraps, anticipation is high for what’s next in the franchise.
