In a recent fiery exchange that cut through the cinematic industry, the creative forces behind the controversial motion picture “Animal” took a stand against veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar’s critical remarks on gender depiction in films. The discourse unfolded when the team behind the Ranbir Kapoor-fronted film “Animal” issued a retort against Akhtar’s pointed critique, imploring to “let love be free from the politics of gender.”
Javed Akhtar, whose esteemed portfolio includes classic hits such as “Zanjeer,” “Deewar,” and “Mr India,” alongside his former colleague Salim Khan, sparked discourse when he contested the creative integrity behind commercially successful films showcasing contentious scenes. His observations did not directly reference “Animal,” but spotlighted the film’s disputed bootlicking sequence involving Ranbir and Triptii Dimri in the roles of Ranvijay and Zoya. Akhtar articulated that such a scenario, particularly when met with financial triumph, represented a “dangerous” curve for the film fraternity.
In a clashing perspective, the “Animal” team fired back. On a social media platform, they notably marked Akhtar, exclaiming that if an artist of his distinction could not comprehend the deception faced by a lover, then his entire oeuvre must be brought into question. Their post, underscored by the ripples of an intense lover’s betrayal, claimed the scene was a reflection not of gender imbalance but of a lover’s anguish and asserted that the same act would have been lauded as a feminist statement had the roles been reversed.
Commanding attention with a staggering Rs 900 crore at the global box office, “Animal” stands tall as one of 2023’s Hindi cinema landmarks, despite the vortex of criticism swirling around its raw portrayal of violence and the portrayal of female characters. The debate around the ethics of such portrayals is mirrored brilliantly in the polarization that “Animal” has faced, both acclaimed and denounced for its bold and unconventional narrative.
“While the team behind ‘Animal’ defends its choice of narrative as a pure depiction of a lover’s betrayal, Javed Akhtar speaks from a place of concern for the influence of cinema on societal norms.”
The “Animal” team’s statement went on to argue that the nuances of such moments are often celebrated when they empower women, citing that the outrage is selective and not rooted in a balanced viewpoint of gender equality. They concluded their statement with a direct address to Akhtar, simplifying the scene to its emotional core—a lover, deceived and lied to, demands an act of submission, irrespective of gender.
Akhtar, while attending the Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival in Aurangabad, raised alarms about the responsibilities borne by filmmakers in the current era. He pondered on the character archetypes they bring to life, voicing his apprehension over their capacity to erroneously garner public adoration. Akhtar’s strong opinions denote a grappling with cinema’s potential to shape communal standards and outlooks, a reflection that lays bare the moral conundrums confronting storytelling in the contemporary milieu.
He further iterated that audiences should exercise discernment in embracing or rejecting films, suggesting that the power to mold the course of cinema ultimately resides in the hands of viewers. With the exchange eliciting robust discourse from all quarters of society, the episode marks a defining moment for Hindi cinema, prompting introspection on the messages disseminated through the silver screen.
Echoing beyond the confines of film festivals and social media debates, this conversation holds a pivotal significance for the trajectory of Indian cinema, challenging creators and consumers alike to contemplate the broader implications of the stories being told and the characters being celebrated.
