‘Animal’ is original and has no reference to ‘Yalgaar’ or any other film, says Ranbir Kapoor

“Sandeep Reddy Vanga is an original filmmaker. When he narrated the story to me, I never felt the reference to any film. Of course, Yalgaar is a lovely movie, but Animal is original,” he added.

The actor was in Bengaluru on Sunday evening, 27 November, to promote his upcoming venture.

Ranbir Kapoor on his dream roles

Actor Ranbir Kapoor sharing his ‘Animal’ experience. (Supplied)

The Bollywood actor, who has done about 20 films in his 15-year-long film career, expressed that he wishes to do a biopic sports drama and to portray the role of a soldier in a war film.

When asked what kind of an “animal” he was, Ranbir pointed out that he was more of a docile animal. “I’m like a baby elephant who stays happy to be around his family.”

About the record number of pre-bookings for Animal with 6 am shows in Bengaluru and other places, the actor said, “I have never experienced this kind of love and affection since Saawariya (2007) to this date. I’m overwhelmed by the response.”

Ranbir Kapoor added that Animal is a family crime drama with lots of emotions.

“All the talks about violence and toxicity are present across every family, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has shown the guts to showcase it in the film. Even a thought can be evil and toxic, and it need not just be violence,” he explained.

Related: Why is Dil Raju betting big on Sandeep Reddy Vanga?

Rashmika Mandanna’s take on kissing scenes

A scene from the film ‘Animal’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. (X/AnimalTheFilm)

Actor Rashmika Mandanna, who was also present on the occasion, said she was cast in the film just 10 days before the film started rolling.

“My manager rang me up and said, ‘Sandeep sir is looking out for you for Animal‘. I was like ‘Why me?’. Then, the director narrated a one-liner and the subject of the film. I immediately felt it like a movie that I want to be a part of,” she recalled.

The actor added that after the look test with Ranbir Kapoor, the director felt it was a great match between North and South, and I was glad it worked well.

About the kissing scenes in Animal, which created quite a buzz on the internet, Rashmika Mandanna said it was the director’s trust and vision.

“For us as actors, it is our duty as to how convincing we can portray a story, which the director has thought of. Well, we can ask the director, but when he says he wants it, we should trust him and the team we are working with,” she elucidated.

Rashmika added, “To me, the character of Geetanjali I have played in Animal is so raw, beautiful, and real. It is Sandeep sir’s way of convincing a way of love to the audience. There are several ways of doing it, and this is one way which I have done with the trust in him.”

Interestingly, Rashmika Mandanna dubbed her lines for Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada versions of Animal.

She also revealed that she is in talks for her next Kannada project and will share more about it in the coming days.

Three-plus-hour film

When asked about the duration of Animal is around 3 hours 21 minutes, which is quite a rarity these days, Ranbir Kapoor quipped that Sandeep Reddy showed them a three-hour-49-minute version too.

“However, Sandeep did his best to trim it. The latest version is three-plus hours not because we are arrogant but to showcase the best to the audience,” the Bollywood actor justified.

He added that the father-son relationship in Animal made him subconsciously think about his bond with his father. “These kinds of emotions in films get real, and even the audience can relate to their emotional bond in their lives.”

A sweet torture: Bobby Deol

Bobby Deol in Animal. (X/AnimalTheFilm)

Bobby Deol, who mesmerised all his fans in the Animal trailer, spoke about his fitness routine and the 15-day shirtless shooting sequence in London for the film.

“Back then, I never worked hard for films. When I was jobless and struggling, I backed myself and started working hard. That led to opportunities, including Animal. I am overwhelmed with all the responses and love showered upon me and the team,” Bobby said.

About his fitness, the actor revealed that eating good food and maintaining calories helped him.

“It was like a sweet torture when looked into the mirror. But it was all worth the hard work. We were freezing with low temperatures in London, but we did the shirtless sequence continuously for 15 days by shooting for 12 hours every day. Soon after wrapping up the scene, we went to McDonald’s and had a cheat day,” Bobby Deol signed off.

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