Sandeep Vanga's 'Animal' Is More Problematic Than 'Arjun Reddy'

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's declaration that he would "show everyone what a violent film is" was a forewarning to the people about his 'Animal' and he ensured to fulfil that promise! His newly-released flick starring Ranbir Kapoor is undoubtedly a controversial film.

The movie is being criticised for themes like sexual abuse, hyper-toxic masculinity, domestic abuse, and violence and gore.

He also proved that his latest venture has more problematic elements than his earlier movie 'Arjun Reddy' and its Hindi version 'Kabir Singh'. For instance, Vijay (played by Ranbir Kapoor) interrupts the engagement celebration of his friend's sister Zoya (played by Rashmika Mandhanna) to explain to her why she should choose to marry an "alpha" male over a "weaker" one.

In Sandeep Reddy Vanga's movies, the main characters often have a tendency toward alcoholism, and Vijay in this film is no exception. Despite this, Vijay doesn't shy away from giving practical drinking advice to his younger sister. He suggests she opt for wine over whiskey, emphasizing its potential benefits for better-looking skin.

In another scene about his family background, he learns that Abrar Haqque (Bobby Deol), that he is his cousin. The surprising revelation unveils that Vijay's father changed his religion to enable him to marry multiple women. When Vijay accuses Zoya of sleeping with another woman under the pretext of "saving his father," Zoya reacts angrily, threatening to engage in similar behaviour like him. In response, Vijay retorts to this threat, warning that he would harm anyone she attempts it with.

Not just these, the movie has so many problematic scenes in the movie. Nonetheless, there are many audiences who have drawn comparisons between director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Arjun Reddy' and 'Animal'.

"Animal is about a flawed character like Arjun reddy simple & any day this is better than showing ppl especially women openly in a very sexually vulnerable & unheroic manner just as an erotic stimulus which Asian filmmaker's like Lee Chang Dong and Hong Sang Soo do in many films," one user said on X.

The second user stated, "#ArjunReddy . Animal is not for everyone, 2nd half is slowwww and didn't felt its the worth hype being generated. #ArjunReddy still best of #SandeepReddyVanga,"

However, one user claimed that 'Arjun Reddy' was still better.The person said, "No one can touch Arjun Reddy movie always ultimate @TheDeverakonda Not satisfied with #Animal #RanbirKapoor"

A fan of Kannada movies recalled how director Upendra used to make similar movies in the 90s and early 2000. "People reacting like this for Arjun Reddy and #Animal, wonder what'll they say if they watch our Uppi movies like A and Upendra," the person added.

Showering a positive word about the women's characterisation, a user stated, "
Preethi accepts Arjun inspite of knowing the fact that he was physically involved with Jia and Geethanjali does the same for Vijay. Vanga glorified the forgiveness trait of a women and these 10 min long scenes shows genuine emotions of their unbreakable bond. #Animal #ArjunReddy."

A netizen claims, "Be it #Animal or Arjun reddy. Lead characters are flawed. But their love is pure. That's the redeeming quality of them. It's like beeku maatre and his wife from @RGVzoomin's #satya They slap each other, but there's love. It's passion not misogyny @AnimalTheFilm #RanbirKapoor𓃵."

"There is a list of things I liked in the protagonist of Arjun Reddy / Kabir Singh. #Animal is completely opposite in all," a user stated.

Despite the mixed response, the movie has done extraordinary business at the box office. As per the trade reports, the Hindi movie has made over Rs 241 crore at the Indian box office alone.