If showing violence is art, then Sandeep Reddy Vanga is a fine artist and Ranbir Kapoor's character is the best piece of art.
Ranbir Kapoor in a still from the film 'Animal'. (X)
Animal (Hindi)
Sandeep Reddy Vanga — the director of Arjun Reddy (2017) and Kabir Singh (2019) — said he would show “them” what a VIOLENT film will be. And, he certainly did not disappoint “them” with his family-action-crime-drama, which has been aptly titled Animal.
However, let me remind you all. Not all animals are violent. But some wild animals are, and it is because of their basic survival instincts and their natural phenomenon.
So, let’s find out what kind of Animal Sandeep Reddy Vanga has created for us. Can those who witness this furious animal in the theatre survive? Well, chances are fifty-fifty!
This is officially one of the longest Indian films in terms of duration. So, better be fully prepared before venturing into this wild saga.
Ranbir Kapoor in ‘Animal’. (Supplied)
Long story short, Anil Kapoor plays Balbir Singh, who runs a business empire called Swastik Steels (with the “right” Swastik symbol and not the twisted symbol used by the Nazis).
His son Ranvijay Singh, played by Ranbir Singh, is madly in love with his father.
The film starts with the director establishing the son’s love and admiration for his father right from childhood. However, the rich father is way too busy to reciprocate the same.
The rest of the long-running film is about the son proving his unconditional love for his father and that he can go to any extent to protect him.
In between, we get to witness some mad love with Rashmika Mandanna as Geethanjali, the wife of Ranvijay Singh.
Also, add a bit of Bobby Deol’s short but forceful performance.
Anil Kapoor in ‘Animal’. (Supplied)
From the word go, the director leaves no stone unturned to showcase all kinds of animals — mostly wild ones that can kill anyone without giving it a second thought.
By the end of Animal, the audience will remain clueless as to how many are killed by almost all types of guns, axes, daggers, fire extinguishers, and a specially-made machine gun that could easily fire hundreds in one shot.
This is just the tip of the iceberg of violence!
This one is made with utmost love for those who enjoy bloodshed and extreme violence where killing is not a big deal.
And then comes the justification that the madness is to protect the loved one. Here, it is the father.
Rashmika Mandanna in ‘Animal’. (Supplied)
Fortunately, the movie also showcases great performance. But unfortunately, they are marred by the sheer scale of brutality.
Ranbir Kapoor lives the character of Ranvijay Singh and so is Anil Kapoor.
The father-son duo, especially the latter seeking approval of his worthiness, is pure madness in the right quotient.
The first half is where things seem fine despite the mild madness. It has bits and pieces of moments which keep the audience interested and also to some extent fall in love with Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s capability to portray affection in great authority.
Everyone has his/her way of expressing one’s love for another, and the Animal director might be on the wilder side, but they are true feelings to experience.
Once the initial storm is over, the second half is where it gets from “bloodier to bloodiest”.
In fact, the first part is nothing when compared to what one can witness in the second half, especially the graphic violence and the climax sequence of throat slitting followed by the butchery.
If showing violence effectively is art, then Sandeep Reddy Vangs is a fine artist, and Ranbir Kapoor’s character is the best piece of art!
Animal is not just for adult audiences for being certified “A” by the Censor Board, but it is also not for the weak-hearted and those who cannot stand bloodshed.
This one is a masterpiece if you love violence. If that is not the case, this is pure madness. So, better avoid it for your own sake!
(Views expressed here are personal.)
May 03, 2024
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