Sandeep Reddy Vanga Reacts to Criticism: IAS Officer Is Easier Than Filmmaking

Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga recently opened up about the criticism surrounding his film Animal, particularly remarks made by IAS officer and UPSC professor Vikas Divyakirti. Last year, Vikas stated that Animal "takes society back by 10 years" and suggested that such films should not be made. Addressing this on the Game Changers podcast, Sandeep shared his thoughts on the intense scrutiny his film faced.

Sandeep expressed his frustration over how people dedicate hours to dissecting Animal while overlooking real social issues. Without naming him at first, he recalled how an IAS officer's criticism made him feel as if he had committed a crime. "There's this IAS officer who, in a very serious interview, said, 'Movies like Animal shouldn't be made.' The way he spoke, it really felt like I had done something criminal," Sandeep said. "He compared it to 12th Fail, saying that one film uplifts society while another pulls it backward."

The filmmaker also shared his perspective on the difficulty of filmmaking compared to cracking the IAS exam. He argued that while IAS aspirants can follow a structured path to success, filmmaking has no set formula. "If you go to Delhi, join an institute, dedicate two or three years of your life, and study a set number of books, you can crack IAS-I'll give it to you in writing. But there's no course, no teacher, and no set of books that can make you a filmmaker or a writer," he explained.

Vikas Divyakirti, who appeared as himself in 12th Fail, had previously criticized Animal in an interview with Neelesh Misra, questioning whether filmmakers should focus solely on financial success rather than social responsibility.