Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga recently ended up in the headlines once more, but this time the spotlight was shared with none other than Kangana Ranaut. The acclaimed ‘Tejas’ actress has had a commendable track record of often vocalizing her thoughts on cinema and her compatriots in the industry, regardless of the potential for controversy. Her latest critique targeted ‘Animal,’ Vanga’s recent cinematic venture which, despite its box office success, was on the receiving end of Ranaut’s disappointment particularly concerning the audience’s reception of the film. The Ranbir Kapoor-starrer garnered widespread attention and discussions, both for its content and remarkable earnings, exceeding Rs 700 crore globally.
Ranaut, known for her unapologetic and forthright nature, is no stranger to the center of media storms with her candid opinions. This instance, however, entailed a surprising response from the director himself. In a video clip that went viral, Vanga spoke on the prospect of working with Ranaut in spite of her disapproval of ‘Animal’. His response reflected an unexpected openness. “If I get a chance, if I feel she will fit into it, I will go and narrate the story. I have seen a lot of her films, and I like her performances. So if she is giving a negative comment about ‘Animal’, I don’t mind. I don’t get angry also,” said Vanga, seemingly unfazed by the critique.
Vanga added he would not hold back from delivering a narrative to Ranaut, whose performances in films like ‘Queen’ and ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ he genuinely admires. His words suggest a recognition of the divide between professional admiration and personal opinion—one that does not preclude the possibility of future collaboration. On the subject of anti-misogyny, a topic dear to Ranaut and sometimes a contentious point in Indian cinema, Vanga expressed a readiness to discuss the issue, highlighting the importance of self-reflection within artistic criticism.
Reacting to Vanga’s comments in a social media post, Ranaut acknowledged the director’s magnanimity in receiving her review. She commended Vanga for his manly attitude and thanked him in her post in Hindi, which translated to, “Review and criticism are not the same, every kind of art should be reviewed and discussed, it is a normal thing.” However, Ranaut quipped in her typically wry manner: “But please don’t ever give me any role otherwise your alpha male heroes will become feminist and then your films will also be beaten, you make blockbusters, the film industry needs you.”
This exchange reveals a unique dynamic in the Bollywood industry, where creative differences and personal opinions can coexist with mutual respect and potential for collaboration. Yet, there seems to be an underlying recognition, as implied by Ranaut’s response, that her strong and distinct take on cinematic narratives may just be at odds with Vanga’s own storytelling style, a contrast she feels might not only impact the story but the success of the films themselves.
‘Animal’, with its star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Bobby Deol, definitely left impressions with its provocative content and an extended runtime of 3 hours and 21 minutes. It debuted in theaters on December 1 and polarized critics and audiences alike, yet showed no signs of faltering at the box office.
Next steps for both Vanga and Ranaut continue to draw curiosity from observers and fans alike, with both parties continuing to tread their respective paths in the industry. The openness to collaboration, notwithstanding ideological disparities, spells an interesting precedent for the creative cross-pollination, one which could potentially shape or shake the very contours of the filmmaking landscape.
