Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the director behind Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, remains one of India’s most debated filmmakers. Known for his raw storytelling and controversial themes, Vanga recently discussed violence, democracy, and censorship in filmmaking.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga addresses criticism of violence in his films, stating that democracy restrains aggression.
Despite directing only three films—Arjun Reddy (2017), its Bollywood adaptation Kabir Singh (2019), and Animal (2023)—Sandeep Reddy Vanga has established himself as one of India’s most polarizing filmmakers. His movies, often critiqued for their portrayal of violence and gender dynamics, have sparked intense debates about artistic freedom and responsibility.
In a recent conversation with Komal Nahta on Game Changers, Vanga made candid remarks about aggression in human nature and its suppression in a democratic society. When asked whether he identifies with the violent tendencies of his protagonists, he responded, “I cannot do that in a democracy. Otherwise, obviously; because the person opposite us would also do the same. If it were the Stone Age, he would do something, and you would react accordingly, right?” His statement hints at a belief that societal structures restrain primal human instincts, a notion that aligns with the raw and unfiltered emotions depicted in his films.
Surprisingly, despite the often uncensored brutality in his movies, Vanga expressed support for film censorship—albeit with a caveat. He revealed that nearly all of his intended content made it to the final cut, with only a few words muted. However, he emphasized that censorship should be handled by industry veterans rather than bureaucrats unfamiliar with filmmaking. “Censorship should be controlled by senior, retired directors, not by people who don’t understand filmmaking. It would be easier to reason with them because an ex-filmmaker would understand more,” he argued, advocating for a system where storytelling intent is considered rather than just isolated scenes.
At the same time, Vanga believes censorship should be more flexible, favoring a classification-based system over excessive cuts or bans. “There should be censorship, otherwise people would shoot anything and show it to audiences,” he acknowledged. However, he pointed out that Hollywood employs a structured rating system, such as R-rated classifications, which India could adopt instead of outright prohibiting certain content.
He also admitted that film ratings significantly impact commercial viability. While he accepted the ‘A’ certificate for Animal, he questioned the same rating for Kabir Singh. “We didn’t contest it because Arjun Reddy had also been given an ‘A’. Though I was upset then, the censor officer told me not to worry and even predicted that the movie would be a success,” he recalled.
