In the wake of considerable debate surrounding the Bollywood film ‘Animal’, Saurabh Gupta, the dialogue writer of the movie, has recently come forward to speak on the concerns voiced over the film’s provocative dialogues and character representations. The discussion was held between Gupta and Ghazal Dhaliwal at the FICCI Frames event, shedding light on these contentious aspects of the movie.
The film ‘Animal’, starring Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Ranvijay, revolves around the character’s quest for retribution against those who pose threats to his father. Noteworthy is the movie’s mature content, which earned it an ‘A’ certification from the censor board and has a substantial runtime extending beyond three hours.
Several dialogues in the film have sparked outrage, including one where Ranbir Kapoor’s character discusses changing a sanitary pad. Saurabh Gupta addressed this point, emphasizing the narrative burden that contemporary cinema carries to educate audiences on various social issues, from the importance of sanitary products to the adverse effects of smoking and drinking. Gupta expressed a sentiment of fatigue over this encumbrance, stating, “Cinema has bowed down under the weight, sir. We should also have some fun.”
Another major concern was the portrayal of Bobby Deol’s character, Abrar Haque. Accusations of presenting a stereotypical image of a Muslim were brought to attention. Gupta defended his work by rationalizing that the character’s depiction was a logical inclusion within the script. He revealed an unexpected perspective on the characters’ moral standings, clarifying that “the hero (Ranbir) is as much of a demon as the villain (Bobby).” Pushing the conversation further, he observed that while the villain’s religion had been highlighted negatively, no comments were made on the equally flawed Hindu protagonist, encapsulating the diverse imperfections of human nature.
The film’s negative portrayal of women, something director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had previously addressed in interviews, was also a contentious point. A scene in particular, where the male lead appears to compliment the female lead on having a ‘big pelvis’ suitable for bearing healthy children, drew severe criticism. Vanga defended the scene, suggesting that the character was attempting to articulate his love in a unique way, given the emotional stakes of the moment being set on the female lead’s engagement day.
Vanga attempted to justify this dialogue as a well-intentioned anomaly, as he became transparent about the choices made on the set: foregoing an initially planned subtle gesture for a more shocking line of dialogue. He described the male lead’s state of desperation, highlighting a moment of sincere, if miscommunicated, affection, which was ultimately misconstrued by some viewers.
Saurabh Gupta’s defense and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s explanations offer a deeper insight into the creative choices and narrative intentions behind ‘Animal’. The film, alongside Ranbir Kapoor, showcased performances by Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol.
The ongoing dialogue around ‘Animal’ signifies the complexities and challenges filmmakers face in today’s social climate. As the creators discuss their artistic choices, they open up a broader conversation about the depiction of sensitive topics in cinema and the responsibilities of those who craft stories for the big screen.
