Animal

Animal featuring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role. 2023 saw the release of much awaited Best Action movies, Directed and edited by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Animal explore dark themes of revenge and a gruesome tale till the very end. The creators have broth forth some of the biggest names of the industry to the big screen including Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Rashmika Mandanna. Quite a tale of family and revenge.

The film was released in theatres near you on the first of December 2023 to mixed reviews. However with booming box office numbers, this film stands to be one of the biggest hits of the year.

Animal Marketing

The creators spared no efforts when it came to spreading the word about the release. And with a fantastic trailer to keep the audience busy till release, the promotional campaign was spectacular.

Teaser release

The teaser was dropped in September 2023, coinciding with Ranbir’s birthday. A buzz was thus brewing among the audience who were hinted at the intense nature of the film.

Arijit Singh’s concert in Chandigarh became the next spot to promote where Ranbir joined the singer on stage to perform the song Satranga in November 2023. This was a surprise move by the creators which triggered huge buzz around the soundtrack.

Cricket fever and global promotion

The film was strategically aligned to release alongside the fever of the Cricket World Cup and Ranbir was sure to be present at the semi final to draw the attention of several cricket fans. Things didn’t end there as the team arranged to present the teaser at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa to draw attention on an international scale.

Plus, frequent visits to reality TV shows and talk shows by the full cast ensured that all eyes were on them during launch.

Animal controversies

The portrayal of some characteristics by the lead were tagged as borderline toxic by many viewers and many have irked at the level of on-screen violence. And although, the creators had to face few backlashes, viewership in theatres remained high.

Toxic masculinity

Many has pointed to the contentious portrayal of the lead role in the film and while a flawed character does blend in well to the imperfections that make a cinematic experience look authentic, the film takes this a step further. With glorifying violence without remorse, the ethical responsibility of the film has been caught in the crossfire. While some argue that the violence is demanded by the storyline, some condemn the actions, sparking similar debates reminiscent of Joker.

The protagonist features is some very violent actions which can be quite shocking for some viewers and instead of condemning the actions, the creators chose to reward them. The antagonist played by Bobby Deol shares similar characteristics to the protagonist and one might find it hard pressed to choose between the lesser evil. And with very little screen time, the fight for power did, at times, feel forced.

Shock value

The choices in the sequences are clearly designed to enhance the shock value for the audience, particularly regarding their impact and intent. And in this pursuit of shock value, the lead’s disastrous actions, surprisingly end up being more rewarding. This intentional showcase of violence raises some brows towards the boundary between entertainment and ethical responsibility.

Not only are these violent actions embraced by the film, the characters themselves intertwine themselves in these behaviours, suggesting that they intend to shock the audience. Scenes like Deol’s violent outburst during his marriage scenes and of marital rape, does push the boundary of what is acceptable in Indian cinema and remains subjective to personal interpretation.

Animal’s box office success

Despite meeting with these mixed reviews and hit with a ton of controversies, the film went on to become a milestone at the box office and shattered plenty of records.

Opening day

The film was able to amass over 63.8 crores from the opening day and became the second highest opener after Jawan. Overseas collections of 46 crores were also made on the opening day. Global collection at opening day for Animal stood at 116 crores.

Animal and Raththam went on to break record on the third day, raking in 201 crores, making it one of the fastest Hindi film to achieve this milestone. Opening weekend collection reached a towering 356 crores.

Box office achievements

Crossing the 500 crore mark by the first week globally, which exceeded the lifetime collection of Ranbir’s previous film. By the 17th day of release, over three crore people from India went to watch Animal, which helped it cross the 500 crore mark in the domestic market.

Animal also did quite well in the overseas market. Although there was stiff competition from mega launches in December, Animal raked in $42 million in its opening weekend. Lifetime collection for the film, culminating in a staggering worldwide gross of over 900 crores.

Animal cast

The creators did a brilliant job of bringing some of the finest talents from the indusryt to bring forth a stellar cast. Here is a quick look at the cast of Animal.

Ranbir Kapoor plays the lead role of Ranjivay Singh. He is supported by the talented Anil Kapoor, playing the role of Balbir Singh. The adorable Rashmika Mandanna portrays the role of Geetanjali, while Bobby Deol brings his charisma on screen as the antagonist, Abrar Haque.

Animal, with its daring narrative, powerhouse performances, and controversial choices, emerges as an undeniable force in Indian cinema. The film’s journey from a meticulously orchestrated marketing spectacle to a box office juggernaut reflects the ever-evolving dynamics of the film industry. And while it sparked debates on ethics and the portrayal of violence, the audience’s resounding response showcases the film’s ability to captivate and leave an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.

The film stands not just as a movie but as an experience—a visceral exploration of darkness, revenge, and the blurred lines between morality and entertainment. As it continues to redefine box office history, one can’t help but ponder the lasting impact it will have on the future of Indian cinema and the ongoing discourse about the responsibilities of filmmakers in shaping societal narratives.