Ranbir Kapoor, the charismatic Bollywood heartthrob, recently delved into the significance of the healthy discourse surrounding toxic masculinity initiated by his latest film, “Animal.” The Sandeep Reddy Vanga-directed movie, released in theaters in December and now available for streaming, portrays the tumultuous journey of a man entangled in a strained relationship with his father, leading him into the shadows of darkness and aggression.
Despite facing criticism for its intense themes, notably in light of Vanga’s past work on “Kabir Singh,” Kapoor sees the silver lining. In a video shared by Netflix, Kapoor expressed his belief that the film has triggered a constructive dialogue in society about toxic masculinity. He emphasized the power of cinema to catalyze such discussions, stating, “There is a very healthy conversation that has started about toxic masculinity also, which is a great thing because cinema, at least, it starts a conversation.”
Kapoor acknowledged the controversy but defended the movie as a catalyst for societal reflection. He argued that movies are a reflection of reality, and by portraying uncomfortable truths, they pave the way for necessary conversations. “If something is wrong, if you don’t show that it is wrong, and unless a conversation starts in society, we will never realize it,” he asserted.
The actor also underlined the responsibility of both filmmakers and audiences. While actors must empathize with the characters they portray, it is up to the viewers to discern right from wrong. Kapoor stated, “You can make a film on the wrong person and it should be made. Because if you don’t make a film on them, society will never improve.”
Supporting Kapoor’s viewpoint, fellow actor Bobby echoed the sentiment that storytelling mirrors society and sheds light on topics that might be otherwise avoided. This aligns with veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar’s earlier characterization of “Animal” as “risky.” Akhtar, speaking at the 9th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, emphasized the responsibility of contemporary writers in creating heroes with a clear moral compass. He pointed out the increasing confusion writers face in a society struggling to determine ethical standards, a confusion that is reflected in cinema.
Akhtar remarked, “There was a time when the poor were good and the rich were bad. But today, we only have one thought in our head, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati?’ So we can’t make the rich look bad now since we ourselves want to be rich.” Discussing “Animal,” Akhtar expressed concern about the success of a film that portrays troubling scenarios, such as a man asking a woman to lick his shoe or justifying violence against women.
In addition to Kapoor, “Animal” features an ensemble cast, including Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri, in pivotal roles. As the film continues to stir conversation and controversy, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of cinema to shed light on societal issues and challenge prevailing norms.
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