Now, actor Ranbir Kapoor has addressed the criticism over ‘Animal’ for the first time, saying that social media caused a lot of chaos.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal,’ which hit theaters last December, achieved significant box office success despite receiving a spectrum of reviews. Now, for the first time, Ranbir Kapoor has responded to the criticisms the film faced, attributing much of the turmoil to social media intervention.
During his appearance on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast, ‘People by WTF,’ Ranbir Kapoor opened up about the backlash and the mixed reception the film had garnered. He revealed that numerous individuals from within the Indian film industry also expressed their disappointment to him. The film stirred heated debates upon its release, with both critics and audiences sharply divided over its portrayal of masculinity and violence.
The podcast’s host suggested that films should be perceived as a form of entertainment rather than as models for moral guidance. In response, Kapoor conveyed that this perspective was precisely the intent behind ‘Animal’. However, he felt that this message had been profoundly misinterpreted by many.
“Social media played havoc,” Kapoor stated. “They needed something to talk about, so they really went to town claiming it was a misogynistic film. What happens is that the hard work that you put in… I know the director had made ‘Kabir Singh,’ which also faced the same thing; the hard work gets diminished. Because it gets this tag, which isn’t true, the perception stayed with this film. So, the general public will speak very fondly about the film, but there are many people I meet, who tell me, ‘You shouldn’t have done this film, we are so disappointed in you.’ And a lot of people from the film industry said the same thing. I quietly apologize and say, ‘Sorry, I won’t do it next time.
.’ I don’t really agree with them, but I am in that phase of my life where I don’t argue with anyone. If you don’t like my work, I will say I am sorry, I will try harder next time.”
Kapoor, who has been cherished for his ‘chocolate boy’ image, admitted that taking on the role in ‘Animal’ was an attempt to break away from that persona.
“I had always been following a career path where I was doing good roles, trying to give good social messages, playing the ‘good boy’ basically, the coming-of-age romantic image that I had. So, I found this very bold, adult-rated. I was scared that maybe the audience will not accept me. When the film released, even though it did amazing numbers and we got a lot of love, there is a big audience which found the film misogynist and wrong, in some way.”
Despite facing fierce criticism, ‘Animal’ continued to captivate a significant portion of the audience and amassed impressive earnings. However, Kapoor reflected on the contrasting feedback he received: while some appreciated the film, others felt let down by its thematic elements and overall message.
Kapoor’s experience highlights the double-edged nature of fame and the often-unpredictable reactions from audiences and critics alike. While some viewers adored the bold new direction, others struggled with the change, causing a rift that played out prominently on social media platforms.
Reflecting on the controversy and the discussions it ignited, Kapoor underscored the difficulty in maintaining a balance between artistic vision and audience expectations. He pointed out that while he remains committed to his craft, the sphere of social media often amplifies negative opinions, potentially overshadowing the nuances of the work itself.
Kapoor’s reflections on ‘Animal’ also underscore a broader challenge faced by many in the film industry: the pressure to innovate and take risks versus the potential backlash that can come from breaking away from established norms or personas. His willingness to engage with this feedback, even if only to apologize and promise to “try harder next time,” reveals a humility that is likely to endear him further to his fans.
In summation, while ‘Animal’ may have stirred controversy, it also provided Kapoor with an opportunity to explore and discuss his artistic choices openly. His candid reflections on the podcast offer a window into the complex interplay between a filmmaker’s intentions and audience perceptions, magnified in the current age of social media. Kapoor’s resolve to continue evolving as an actor promises a future filled with interesting roles and perhaps less tumultuous, albeit equally compelling, films.
