Vishal Bhardwaj on Animal: I have not made up my mind, I enjoyed it and hated it

Acclaimed director Vishal Bhardwaj has now become the latest celebrity to give his opinion on Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Animal. The Maqbool (2003) director recently said in an interview that he is in two minds about the film.

“I have still not made up my mind what to feel about that film because I enjoyed it, and at the same time I hated it,” he told Firstpost. 

While speaking about the evolution of the quintessential Bollywood hero, the director added, “I think the recent hit film Animal is all what you are saying is all there. And we have a typical hero, too. That’s one of the biggest hits of all time. People still watch and still want that kind of movie. It’s a big surprise that there is a huge audience for that kind of film as well.” 

The director also said that although people are liking films like Animal, they are also going for movies like Laapataa Ladies and 12^th Fail which aren’t exactly masala films. “Vidhu Vinod Chopra, at the age of 71, made the most beautiful film of his life. And with Vikram Massey, you really don’t need stars these days,” he added.

Previously, actor Adil Hussain had stated that he regretted doing Kabir Singh (2019). Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga was quick to respond. He took to X and wrote, "Your 'belief' in 30 art films didn't get as much fame to u as your 'regret' of 1 BLOCKBUSTER film did. I regret casting you, knowing that your greed is bigger than your passion. NOW I'll save you from the shame by replacing your face with AI help Now smile properly.” (sic)

Sandeep is known to not take criticism lightly. He has gone after director Kiran Rao and veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar in the past for their comments against Animal.