Bhushan Kumar Reveals Sandeep Vanga Is ‘Not Okay’ With Memes On Animal: ‘I Tell Him Not To Bother’

Over five months after its release, Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal continues to make headlines. In a recent interview, the producer of the movie, Bhushan Kumar talked about the backlash that the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial faced and argued that it has only helped his movie in becoming a “cult”.

“So many debates keep happening over the film. Even today, I see somebody or the other talking about it. It’s good for us. The moment people resume talking about it or making jokes, it picks up on Netflix again. It comes back in the top 10 list!” Kumar told Zoom Entertainment.

Bhushan Kumar further mentioned that even though he is okay with jokes and memes around the film Animal, the director Sandeep Reddy Vanga is not. “Sometimes Sandeep Reddy Vanga is not okay with the memes on the film. He replies too much, I keep on explaining to him that he should not bother, it is benefitting our film only. All said and done, the film has become a cult film, everyone is waiting for part 2, we’ve done Rs 900 crores business worldwide, so people want to talk, let them talk, it doesn’t bother us,” he added.

When Animal hit theatres on December 1, 2023, it started a mega debate online. The film revolves around a man and his toxic relationship with his father. It showed Vijay (played by Ranbir) as an anti-hero who would go to any lengths to protect his father, including gunning down 200 people with a machine gun. However, despite his repeated efforts, he struggled to get a seal of approval from his emotionally unavailable father (played by Anil Kapoor). Animal also starred Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimri in key roles.

While Animal was a box office success and earned over Rs 900 crore worldwide, it was also questioned by many for being ‘misogynistic’. One of the scenes in which Ranbir Kapoor’s character asked Rashmika Mandanna to lick his feet also left many angry. As a result, the film sparked a debate on social media, with many slamming the director for his portrayal of Vijay.

Previously, Rashmika Mandanna also gave a befitting reply to those calling Animal ‘misogynistic’. She called the film ‘raw, real and correct’ and stated that despite everything, people enjoyed it. “He’s messed in the head and will go to any lengths for his father, that was engraved in my mind when I shot for the film. Nobody can do anything about it, it’s his story. If you want films to be raw, real and correct, Animal is that. After watching it, to say it’s misogynistic or whatever…if you enjoyed it, just leave it,” she said on Neha Dhupia’s show.