The Indian film industry often sees its fair share of controversies, and leading the current wave of debate is the film ‘Animal’, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Encircled by criticisms for its allegedly misogynistic narrative, the movie has found a new commentator in actor-politician Khushboo Sundar. Making a departure from the usual criticisms leveled at filmmakers, Khushboo directs her concern towards the masses that flock to the theaters, generating box office success for such contentious films.
‘Animal’, starring the charismatic Ranbir Kapoor, alongside seasoned actors Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and the talents of Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimri, has risen to become a talking point not merely for its cinematic elements but for the reflection it casts on societal values. At a recent engagement titled Witt: Female Protagonist- The New Hero, Khushboo Sundar seized the opportunity to express her disquiet over the film’s reception by the public.
She shared her perspective with a tone of disbelief, remarking, “First thing I would like to say in this room is that I haven’t watched the film Animal because that’s not my kind of film. If a film like Animal continues to be one of the biggest box office-grossing films, then we really need to think about the mindset of the people who go and watch such films. Even before that, we had a major issue with Kabir Singh. I don’t blame the director because I think for him it’s the success which is going to count.”
Her statements, cogent and forthright, question not just the content but the societal endorsement of such narratives, implicitly asking whether the support for the film by the audiences mirrors an overlooked undercurrent in the society’s attitudes towards women.
Khushboo continued to probe the matter, “But I am talking about if there is something which is out there on a public forum where we talk about gender equality, we talk about equal respect to women, talking about her dignity, how she should be projected and how she should be respected. And yet, you come across a film like ‘Animal’ and people throng to go and watch these kinds of films. And they’re all youngsters. They’re educated youngsters. ‘Oh, we love the film’. And I’m like, ‘Guys, what’s going on in your mind?’”
The actor’s concerns were magnified by a personal anecdote involving her daughters who, having seen the movie, advised their mother against watching it, troubled by what they had beheld on the screen.
In the midst of the brouhaha surrounding ‘Animal’, Rashmika Mandanna, one of the film’s leading actresses, addressed her somewhat muted celebration of the film’s success. A visible absence from the star-studded public celebrations led to speculation and concern from fans and observers. However, Mandanna attributes her quiet to an unflagging work ethic that saw her returning to other commitments immediately after the film’s release.
Mandanna’s statement reflected her consciousness of the film’s impact as she said, “I know it comes from a place of love, concern, and worry 💘. We have delivered a massive film, and people loved it and appreciated it. I too wanted to take some time out to enjoy it, as every one of us wants to, but I was back on set the next day of my film release (being the amazing workaholic that I am 😋), and hence I was and am unable to do a lot of interviews or events out there.”
‘Animal’, while becoming a commercial success, opens up a more vital dialogue about the entertainment industry’s influence on societal norms and the potential dichotomy between public discourse on gender equality and the movies that gain mass popularity. Khushboo Sundar’s commentary, consequently, isn’t just another leaf in the gust of film criticism but a prompt for introspection among viewers and creators alike, signaling a time for reflection on the art of cinema as a mirror of society.
