Karan Johar has given a big thumbs up for the film ‘Animal,’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Bobby Deol,” which stirred global attention and debates throughout 2023. Despite amassing a staggering global revenue of nearly Rs 900 crore, the movie faced scrutiny for its portrayal of violence and toxic masculinity. However, acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar has vehemently defended the film, dubbing it as the paramount cinematic creation of the year.
During a discussion on the Galatta Plus pan-India roundtable, Karan Johar boldly praised “Animal,” foreseeing potential backlash for his opinion. He lauded the film’s audacious narrative, describing it as a groundbreaking departure from mainstream cinema conventions. “I loved Animal for its front-footed, absolutely conviction-based narrative, breaking grammar, breaking myths and breaking everything that you conform to in mainstream cinema,” he expressed.
Animal is the best film of the year 2023 – Karan Johar
Expressing his admiration, Johar confessed to watching the film twice, both as an audience member and later as a filmmaker analyzing its intricate details. He highlighted specific sequences that captivated him, praising the unconventional storytelling techniques employed by Vanga. “Suddenly, you have an interval block and the hero is being bashed up and people are singing a song. I am like, ‘Where have you seen a sequence like that? It’s genius’,” Johar elaborated.
Despite the contentious themes portrayed in the film, particularly the scrutiny over its depiction of misogyny, Karan Johar remained undeterred in his praise. Dismissing the controversies, he emphasized his fascination with the depth and engagement the film offered. “You can debate about it, you can debate the politics, the scenes, but I am aroused and engaged by the cinema of this film,” Johar concluded.
The movie, “Animal,” delves into a tumultuous father-son relationship, chronicling the son’s revenge after an attempt on his father’s life. Starring Ranbir Kapoor alongside Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Triptii Dimri, and Rashmika Mandanna, the film remains at the center of polarizing discussions.
Karan Johar didn’t hesitate to commend Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s distinct vision, foreseeing a transformative impact on the cinematic landscape. “It’s going to bring in a tone and syntax which doesn’t exist,” he remarked, highlighting Vanga’s unique storytelling prowess. For Johar, the success of “Animal” isn’t just a cinematic feat but a revelation of exceptional talent in conceptualizing such narratives.
In closing, Karan Johar emphasized the significance of the film, stating, “I have seen so many good films this year, but the only film which taught me something was this film.”
Consider this: there’s an interval sequence where the hero is taking a beating, yet there’s a song playing… It’s sheer genius. And at the climax, two men in conflict, accompanied by that song… I found myself moved to tears amidst the bloodshed. It made me question if something was amiss within me or within the filmmaker, yet the synergy created by this film is undeniably powerful.
It’s not the work of an average mind; it’s the creation of someone so distinct, so unique that I was utterly captivated. I watched the film twice—first as an audience member, and then to dissect its essence as a filmmaker. I believe the success and recognition of Animal are revolutionary. Its unwavering conviction is something I aspire to achieve.”
While “Animal” continues to be a subject of intense debate and scrutiny, Karan Johar’s unwavering endorsement has resounded as a testament to the film’s impact on audiences and industry insiders alike.
Animal revolves around a troubled father-son relationship, and has Ranbir in the role of Rannvijay Singh, who goes on to exact revenge after there’s an assassination attempt on his father. In the climax of Animal, Rannvijay and Abrar fight each other and Rannvijay ultimately kills Abrar. Apart from Ranbir and Bobby, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Shakti Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Prithviraj, and Siddhant Karnick also star in the film. It has grossed over ₹ 500 crore at the domestic box office.