Ram Gopal Varma Calls Ranbir Kapoor's Animal 'Only True Original Indian Film': 'I Might Have Issues...'

Ever since the release of Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial Animal, Ram Gopal Varma has made several comments about the movie. Now, in a new interview, the director has called Ranbir Kapoor starrer the “only true original movie from the Indian cinema.”

Ram Gopal Varma was speaking to News9 Live recently when he was asked if Vanga could be described as his true successor. To this, the director named Anurag Kashyap and said, “I would think Anurag is closer to Sandeep. To say it in a cliché, I think Sandeep is a highly commercial version of Anurag Kashyap. The darkness of the characters, the very in your face… It’s something I’ve never done.”

“Heir is a wrong example because I always followed a template, I didn’t do anything original. But Animal is completely original. I might have issues with it because of my sensibilities, but Animal is the only truly original film from Indian cinema. What I made were just hybrid versions of what was working,” he added.

Previously, Ram Gopal Varma also expressed five key takeaways from the mega box office hit that is Animal. “1. Indians are not the same Indians, what the earlier Indians used to think. 2. If films are believed to be an art form and reflect culture, Animal has redefined culture and destroyed what was earlier called art,” he stated.

“3. Every Indian is now exposed to each other Indian in terms of what kind of ANIMALS are hidden in all of us. 4. The MEGA BOX OFFICE proves that ALL INDIANS now love and respect a not to be loved and respected director 5. All INDIANS now realise that ALL INDIANS have GROWN UP,” the filmmaker added.

Released on December 1, Animal revolves around a man and his toxic relationship with his father. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, it shows Vijay (played by Ranbir) as an anti-hero who would go to any lengths to protect his father. However, despite his efforts, he struggles to get a seal of approval from his emotionally unavailable father (played by Anil Kapoor). His unhealthy relationship with his father impacts his relationship with his wife (played by Rashmika Mandanna).

Animal has been accused of glorifying misogyny and toxic masculinity by several social media users. However, despite everything, the film is going immensely well at the box office. It has already crossed the Rs 400 crore mark at the Indian box office.