In the high stakes world of Indian cinema, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has been making waves even though he’s only three films deep into his career. Each of his movies has stirred conversations, and not without their share of controversy. The latest to hit the screens, ‘Animal’ with Ranbir Kapoor as the protagonist, has been particularly polarizing and has fuelled rampant discussions in 2023. Amidst the noise, Vanga has remained unfazed and has his sights set on broader horizons, one of which includes working with none other than Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan.
While ‘Animal’ rattles debate among cinephiles and critics alike, Vanga’s recent discussions reveal his admiration and desire to direct King Khan. During an interview with media personality Siddharth Kannan, Vanga reminisced about his encounter with the iconic ‘Pathaan’ actor. He recollected, “I want to work with Shah Rukh sir. Definitely. Chance mil gaya toh.” His candid yearning to collaborate with SRK isn’t just wishful thinking. Vanga had the opportunity to meet Khan in person last year—a meeting that quickly garnered mass attention online. “It was great seeing you sir. I am seeing [you] for the first time. I had seen [you] on the screen. I am seeing [you] live for the first time,” recounted Vanga about his interaction.
However, the conversation was not all related to work. Vanga showcased the teaser of ‘Animal’ during Ganpati celebrations where Shah Rukh Khan had dropped by his office. The Bollywood titan’s response was encouraging—he liked what he saw. This interaction subtly sows the seeds of a prospective alliance between the luminary director and the superstar actor.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s desire for collaboration doesn’t end there; he has also shown interest in working with Kangana Ranaut, who is known as the ‘Queen’ of Bollywood. Despite her standing as one of the vocal critics of ‘Animal’, Vanga’s respect for her as an artist remains unshaken. A clip that went viral showed Vanga gracefully responding to a question about his willingness to work with Ranaut after her negative review. “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,” Vanga commented.
Kangana Ranaut responded to his equanimity with admiration and a firm stance. She acknowledged the respectful manner in which Vanga accepted criticism and complimented the masculine essence of both his films and his attitude. Yet, she humorously warned, “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.”
Sandeep Reddy Vanga stands amidst dialogue and dissent as a gutsy creator intrigued by the challenge each actor brings. It’s evident in his outreach and his response to the spectrum of feedback on his work. It’s this ability to engage, his tenacity in the face of critique, and the unwavering pursuit of cinematic excellence, that has him poised on the brink of potentially groundbreaking creative unions.
As the filmmaker’s quest to push boundaries continues, the cinema world watches with bated breath. The prospect of Vanga directing Shah Rukh Khan offers an exciting future for film aficionados, while the complex dynamic with Kangana Ranaut adds a layer of intrigue to the narrative of Indian cinema’s evolving legacy. The path ahead for Vanga is rife with possibilities, each more tantalizing than the last, as he navigates through realms of creativity, pairing with the indomitable spirits of Bollywood’s brightest stars.
