Ranbir Kapoor reacts on Animal backlash. Ranbir Kapoor Defends "Animal" Amidst Backlash, Discusses His "Good Boy" Image and the Power of Social Media.
Ranbir Kapoor, known for his nuanced portrayals and "good boy" image, has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his latest film "Animal," which garnered both critical acclaim and significant backlash for its portrayal of masculinity and violence.
During an appearance on Nikhil Kamath's podcast "People by WTF," Kapoor revealed that he was deeply affected by the criticism, especially from within the industry. He shared, "Social media played havoc. They needed something to talk about, so they really went to town claiming it was a misogynistic film." Kapoor acknowledged the film's intent to provide entertainment, but lamented how the narrative was misconstrued, diminishing the hard work of the entire team.
"A lot of people I meet, who tell me, ‘You shouldn’t have done this film, we are so disappointed in you’. And a lot of people from the film industry (said the same thing)," he revealed. Despite the criticism, Kapoor remained resolute in his commitment to the project, stating that he would do it again.
The actor confessed that he chose "Animal" to break free from his established on-screen persona. "I had always been following a career path where I was doing good roles, trying to give good social messages, play the 'good boy' basically, the coming-of-age romantic image that I had. So, I found this very bold, adult-rated," he explained.
Kapoor acknowledged the film's polarizing reception, saying, "When the film released, even though it did amazing numbers and we got a lot of love, there is a big audience which found the film misogynist and wrong, in some way."
However, he stressed that he felt "Animal" was the right film at the right time in his career, helping him push boundaries and reach a saturation point. "I don't really agree with them, but I am in that phase of my life I don’t argue with anyone. If you don’t like my work, I will say I am sorry I will try harder next time."
"Animal" continues to be a topic of discussion, highlighting the complex relationship between film, social commentary, and audience interpretation. The film's success, despite its controversial themes, further underscores the power of social media to shape public opinion and its impact on the film industry.