Rashmika Mandanna has officially joined the cast of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, the makers announced on the occasion of Ugadi and Gudi Padwa on Saturday.

Earlier, Parineeti Chopra was slated to star opposite Ranbir Kapoor in the film. As per prior reports, she could not be a part of the crime drama due to scheduling clashes with Imtiaz Ali's next. As such, the makers of Animal roped in Rashmika as the female lead.

Animal also stars Anil Kapoor (as Ranbir's father) and Bobby Deol. The film is supposedly backdropped on the gun-mafia in India. It will commence shooting this summer with an anticipated release date of August 11, 2023.

Rashmika is making her Bollywood debut in the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Mission Majnu. She also has Goodbye with Amitabh Bachchan.