Animal: Animal: A Derailed Family Drama with a Vile Protagonist

Animal is a 2023 Hindi action crime drama film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Bobby Deol. The film follows the life of Vijay (Ranbir Kapoor), the only son of a wealthy steel tycoon Balbir Singh (Anil Kapoor), who craves for his father’s love and attention. His obsession and violence lead to a cycle of bloodshed that spans decades and affects everyone around him.

Ranbir Kapoor in Animal

PLOT

The film begins with a flashback of Vijay’s childhood, where he witnesses his father being shot by a rival businessman. He vows to avenge his father and protect his family’s legacy. He grows up to be a ruthless and unhinged man, who seduces and marries Geetanjali (Rashmika Mandanna), a naive and innocent girl. He also has an affair with a journalist, who exposes his illegal activities. He kills her and frames his father’s shooter, who happens to be a Muslim named Zafar (Bobby Deol). He then wages a war against Zafar and his gang, killing hundreds of people in the process. He also alienates his father, who disowns him for his crimes. The film then jumps to the present day, where Vijay is an old and lonely man, living in a mansion with his loyal henchmen. He receives a call from Zafar, who challenges him to a final showdown. Vijay accepts and goes to meet him, only to realize that it was a trap. He is surrounded by Zafar’s men, who shoot him multiple times. He falls to the ground, bleeding and dying, as he sees a vision of his father and Geetanjali, who forgive him and embrace him.




Themes

The film explores the themes of family, love, revenge, violence, and masculinity. It portrays Vijay as a tragic hero, who is driven by his love for his father and his desire to prove himself as a man. He is also a victim of his circumstances, as he inherits his father’s enemies and his business. He tries to fill the void in his heart with women, money, and power, but he ends up losing everything he cares about. He is also a product of his culture, which glorifies violence and machismo as signs of strength and dominance. He believes that he is the alpha male, who can do whatever he wants and get away with it. He treats women as objects, who are either submissive or disposable. He also harbors a hatred for Muslims, who he sees as his enemies and inferiors. He is a flawed and complex character, who elicits both sympathy and disgust from the audience.

Analysis

The film is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who is known for his controversial films such as Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh, which were also criticized for their misogynistic and violent content. Vanga does not shy away from showing the dark and brutal side of his protagonist, who commits unspeakable acts of violence and abuse. He also does not offer any justification or redemption for his actions, leaving the audience to judge him for themselves. The film is heavily influenced by Hollywood films such as The Godfather and Scarface, which also feature anti-heroes who rise and fall in the world of crime. However, the film lacks the depth and nuance of these classics, and relies more on shock value and sensationalism. The film also suffers from a long and uneven runtime, which drags in the second half and loses its focus. The film has some impressive action sequences, which are well-choreographed and executed. The film also boasts of a stellar cast, who deliver powerful performances. Ranbir Kapoor is the highlight of the film, as he portrays the complex and challenging role of Vijay with conviction and charisma. He manages to convey the emotions and motivations of his character, even when his actions are reprehensible. Anil Kapoor is also impressive as the father figure, who is torn between his love and disappointment for his son. Rashmika Mandanna is wasted as the naive and innocent wife, who has little to do except cry and suffer. Bobby Deol is effective as the Muslim villain, who is the foil and nemesis of Vijay.

Conclusion

Animal is a film that will polarize the audience, as it presents a protagonist who is one of the vilest and most violent characters in cinema history. The film is a bold and daring attempt to explore the psyche of a flawed and complex man, who is driven by his love and hate for his family. The film is also a commentary on the culture of violence and masculinity, which breeds and glorifies such men. The film has its strengths, such as the performances, the action, and the direction, but it also has its weaknesses, such as the length, the pacing, and the lack of subtlety and balance. The film is not for the faint-hearted, as it depicts graphic and disturbing scenes of violence and abuse. The film is also not for everyone, as it may offend and repel some viewers with its controversial and regressive content. The film is a risky and ambitious venture, which may appeal to some and appall others. The film is worth watching, if you are looking for a dark and intense drama, that challenges and provokes you. However, the film is not a masterpiece, and it falls short of being a classic. The film is a 2.5/5 star rating.