Bobby Deol Defends Assault Scene In Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’, Says Movie Is “Creating Awareness”
Bobby Deol recently spoke about the criticism Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’ is receiving.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for the Telugu hit film ‘Arjun Reddy’ and its blockbuster Hindi remake ‘Kabir Singh’, recently came out with his third directorial venture ‘Animal’. The new Hindi movie, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri and Shakti Kapoor, has been receiving flak for glorifying toxic masculinity and misogynist behaviour in certain disturbing scenes. ‘Animal’ might have made more than Rs 450 crore at the domestic box office, but one can’t ignore the discourse around the film regarding its objectionable portrayal of certain themes.
Bobby Deol recently spoke about the controversial marital rape scene in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’, and said that it was absolutely necessary. Previously, Bobby Deol’s co-stars, Triptii Dimri and Mansi Taxak, also spoke about some of the movie’s most controversial moments.
In a new interview with The Quint, Bobby Deol said that he doesn’t pay attention to reviews because they’re a “waste of energy”. Bobby Deol also said that he doesn’t view his character Abrar as a villain at all.
When asked about the marital rape scene in ‘Animal’, Bobby Deol said, “I’m not trying to promote anything. Yes, it was required. How do you showcase a character in such a short span, show what this man is capable of, what kind of person he is? All these scenes were required.”
When it was pointed out that movies have the power to influence the audience, Bobby Deol said, “We are influenced by what is happening in society as filmmakers. What is written, as a story, is an influence of what is happening in society. It exists in our society. We are not promoting it. We are actors, portraying characters, entertaining people. And if that was the case, this film wouldn’t be a big hit.”
The Bollywood actor further said that his web series, ‘Aashram’, was also controversial but the viewers love it.
“I can’t get influenced by a film. Maybe you’ll get influenced to dance with a glass on your head,” he said.
Bobby Deol was also asked about the perceived misogyny of the film, and he said, “This is what’s happening in our society, and (Animal) is creating awareness that this kind of cruelty happens in the world we live in. I’ve seen it personally in so many places.”
Previously, actress Mansi Taxak, who plays the youngest of Abrar’s (Bobby Deol) three wives, also spoke about the marital rape scene.
She told Zoom Entertainment, “It was just that Bobby sir did not expect his brother’s death news to come on the wedding, which puts the character into a zone where he couldn’t think straight. And that’s what we’re talking about, right? Animal instincts are unpredictable instincts. So he goes into that zone, and to vent out his emotions, he comes to his wives.”
She added, “I don’t think it was intended to be any sort of assault. I didn’t feel it on the set, or in the script. That was not the case. It was just a relationship between two people that has panned out the way it did.”
‘Animal’, which released in theatres alongside Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Sam Bahadur’ on December 1, has earned more than Rs 450 crore in India, and more than Rs 750 crore worldwide.
