Ranbir Kapoor’s latest venture, ‘Animal,’ is poised to become his biggest commercial success, potentially surpassing the heights achieved by ‘Sanju.’ Yet, amidst the anticipation and box office predictions, the movie faces a divide in critical reception, primarily concerning its moral compass and portrayal of female characters.
Senior cricketer Jaydev Unadkat initially took to social media to express disdain for the film, labelling it a disaster and a disgrace. His now-deleted tweet criticized the movie’s endorsement of misogyny, referring to it as an attempt to glorify outdated notions of “traditional masculinity” and “alpha male” behavior. He emphasized the responsibility of the entertainment industry to showcase content mindful of its impact on millions of viewers.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma also weighed in, hinting at the unusual shift in critique, noting that opinions about the movie seemed to have transitioned from reviewing the film to judging the audience’s preferences, a testament to its perceived polarizing nature.
Adding to the controversy, actress Trisha faced backlash for labeling the film as “cult” in an Instagram Story, later deleting it amidst criticism from a section of social media users.
Cricketer Turns Great Critic of Animal Movie On Social Media, Deletes Tweet
A specific dialogue in Animal Movie, wherein Singh dismisses his wife’s concerns about her period, has drawn ire for its ignorance and insensitivity toward women’s experiences. This portrayal has ignited discussions on social media platforms, highlighting the lack of understanding among some men regarding menstrual cycles and prompting what has been termed as ‘mansplaining’ on X (formerly Twitter).
Criticism has escalated further with individuals debating the accuracy and logic behind the dialogue, revealing deep-seated misconceptions about menstruation and the need for more informed and sensitive representations in mainstream cinema.
‘Animal’ finds itself in a dual position of box office anticipation and ethical scrutiny, reflecting the ongoing dialogue on societal responsibilities within the entertainment industry. The movie’s success at the box office juxtaposed with its controversy-ridden content has sparked discussions about the fine line between creative expression and social responsibility in filmmaking.
Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of ‘Kabir Singh’ fame, ‘Animal‘ boasts a star-studded cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol, Shakti Kapoor, among others. However, the film has stirred controversy for its depiction of certain sensitive subjects, notably evident in a scene where Ranbir Kapoor’s character Ranvijay Singh belittles his wife Geetanjali (played by Rashmika Mandanna) regarding her menstrual cycle.