The entertainment industry is no stranger to controversy, and the latest film to come under the scrutiny of critics and audiences alike is ‘Animal,’ featuring performances from Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The movie, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has been a hot topic since its release four months ago. Critics have sharply divided opinions, with some praising its raw narrative while others condemn it as problematic, even misogynistic. In a recent interview, Rashmika Mandanna, who celebrated her birthday, took the opportunity on Neha Dhupia’s show ‘No Filter with Neha’ to address the whirlwind of questions that have surrounded the film since its launch.
Rashmika Mandanna, known for her candor and extensive filmography in the Indian cinema industry, reflected on her role and her co-star Ranbir Kapoor’s character in ‘Animal.’ Speaking with Neha Dhupia, she candidly expressed that according to her, Ranbir’s portrayal was that of a man deeply ‘messed up in the head,’ with an unwavering commitment to his father’s expectations and legacy. “He’s messed in the head and will go to any lengths for his father; that was engraved in my mind when I shot for the film. Nobody can do anything about it; it’s his story,” she explained.
Mandanna’s perspective on ‘Animal’ is refreshing as she encourages viewers who have enjoyed the film to embrace it without overanalyzing its intentions or messages. “If you want films to be raw, real, and correct, ‘Animal’ is that. After watching it, to say it’s misogynistic or whatever… if you enjoyed it, just leave it,” she stated, urging the audience to appreciate the film for what it is.
Part of the controversy stemmed from a particular scene during Karva Chauth, a moment which led to Mandanna facing considerable online criticism and trolling. Delving into the subject, she mentioned her aversion to trolling, especially when it involves personal attacks on women’s bodies. Nevertheless, she remains receptive to criticism about her work, “I don’t like people trolling women about their bodies; if they’re trolling about my dialogue or whatever, I’m okay.”
Confidence in her performance remained steadfast, despite the backlash, “Everyone loved the Karva Chauth scene on set, but then the trailer came out and I was trolled for it. In my head, I had nailed this nine-minute long scene. Am I living in a bubble? I know everything I do isn’t cool, but I didn’t understand this. However, when the majority of the audience liked my performance in the scene when the film released, my gut was right,” she affirmed, ultimately vindicated by the audience’s positive reaction.
Looking ahead, Rashmika Mandanna’s professional journey continues to be as promising as ever. Today, celebrating her birthday, she excitedly awaits the release of the teaser for ‘The Girlfriend,’ directed by Rahul Ravindran. Furthermore, Mandanna is set to feature in the eagerly anticipated sequel ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule,’ where she will star alongside Allu Arjun. The action drama, led by director Sukumar, also includes Fahadh Faasil in its impressive cast.
The fans of the actress have more to look forward to, as she is involved in projects like ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Chhaava.’ Among these, ‘Chhaava’ stands out as a historical drama by director Laxman Utekar, portraying the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the progeny of the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
In closing, Rashmika Mandanna’s conversation with Neha Dhupia on ‘No Filter with Neha’ was not only an illumination of her views on the complexities of her recent film ‘Animal’ but also a showcase of her upcoming ventures offering diverse stories to her audiences. Her determination and talent continue to propel her career forward amidst the labyrinth of cinema’s challenges and critiques.
