Roaring Opinions: Unveiling the Layers of ‘Animal’ – A Hindi Movie Review

The criminal saga “Animal” by Sandeep Reddy Vanga is now in theatres. Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Rashmika Mandanna star in the film, which opens alongside Meghna Gulzar’s “Sam Bahadur.” “Animal” is expected to top the box office this weekend due to the tremendous popularity of its core ensemble among moviegoers.

The film “Animal” has an ‘Adults Only‘ rating and a running time of 203 minutes. In a recent interview with The Hindu, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga said that the original version of “Animal” was about 4 hours long, but it was chopped down to 3 hours and 21 minutes after editing. Vanga expressed faith in the film, calling it interesting and praising Ranbir Kapoor’s outstanding performance, telling the audience that they would be captivated throughout.

Despite its ‘A’ rating and running time of more than three hours, “Animal” is expected to have a strong start at the box office. Girish Johar, a film producer and trade analyst, remarked that despite the adult rating, non-holiday release, and extended duration, the picture is positioned for a blockbuster opening in both the Indian and foreign markets. He projected that the film may take Rs 100 crore worldwide, with Rs 55 crore coming from the Hindi market.

Storyline
In the movie, Anil Kapoor, an older man’s wife, tries to intervene occasionally but is consistently silenced by her husband. While the son’s wife is more vocal, she contributes only vacuous language that fails to resonate with both her husband and the audience. “Animal” is laden with superficial style and unrestrained excess, persisting endlessly without any restraint.

The story takes a terrible turn when the protagonist, a spoiled schoolboy, goes to extreme means to save his sister, displaying a troubling lack of accountability. Despite outstanding performances from Ranbir Kapoor and Anil Kapoor, the troubling topics of the film overshadow their efforts, making it impossible for the audience to connect with the characters.

“Animal” is a nearly three-and-a-half-hour drama about a boy’s intense admiration for his extremely wealthy industrialist father, but is unable to reciprocate due to time constraints. The film’s taxing character, however, originates from more than just its duration.

It assaults the senses with an unceasing assault, depicting a story in which a loving son’s excessive acts are justified in order to defend his family. In order to stop a suspected conspiracy against his family’s steel business, the protagonist, played by Ranbir Kapoor, resorts to brutal violence, shedding blood and taking life. Even when it comes to love, his manner is dominant, expecting complete devotion from Rashmika Mandanna’s character. The film addresses themes of aggressiveness and entitlement, with its harsh narration overshadowing any subtlety.

The existing quo, however, stays untouched as Ranvijay Singh returns, more cutthroat than ever. The female character submits without protest, showing no individual willpower or opposition to being forced into marriage against her parents’ wishes. Her voice appears to just mimic the man’s actions, which are presented as consensual even if they are fully of his own decision. The hero’s dubious logic extends to adultery, explaining his deeds in a way that only someone like him could.

The enemy (Bobby Deol), despite his struggles to create an impression in a brief appearance, echoes the hero’s savagery. Set in a fatal blood feud, “Animal” weaves a narrative of a man’s world, presenting physically and mentally traumatised characters caught up in an endless cycle of violence. The film’s climactic scene, set on an airstrip, involves two individuals with severe disabilities, emphasising the film’s theme of retribution.

If one thinks that the physical limits of the battling couple represent what men of their stature lack, “Animal” quickly dispels such views. The film methodically justifies the hero’s every heinous deed, leaving the audience to wonder if any motive could be more important than a man’s need for his inattentive father’s attention. The sole redeemable part of the film’s off-putting and tiresome narrative may be the background music. A diversified soundtrack featuring Marathi, Punjabi, and other folk tunes complements the harsh combat scenes. However, music is likely the last thing “Animal” leaves you with as you leave the theatre, wondering what the point of the thunderous show was.