Renowned screenwriter, lyricist, and poet Javed Akhtar indirectly expressed concern about the success of films like Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal,” starring Ranbir Kapoor, which grossed nearly Rs 900 crore worldwide. While the film garnered praise from many in the industry, it faced criticism for allegedly glorifying misogyny and violence, particularly in scenes like one where a man asks a woman to lick his shoe. Akhtar, known for co-creating the iconic “Angry Young Man” archetype in Bollywood, emphasized the responsibility lying with the audience, urging them to decide which movies they support and reject. Despite the ongoing debate surrounding such films, Akhtar highlighted that there are still filmmakers producing quality content, emphasizing the pivotal role of audiences in shaping the fate of cinema.
However, not all reviews were favorable, as The Indian Express’ Shubhra Gupta mentioned that the film lost its trajectory after a strong start, suggesting it could have made a more impactful statement if it had concluded at the interval. This divergence in opinions underscores the ongoing dialogue within the industry and among viewers about the portrayal of sensitive themes in popular cinema.
