Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the director and editor of the 2023 Indian Hindi-language action drama film "Animal," collaborated on the screenplay with Pranay Reddy Vanga and Saurabh Gupta. The film, produced by Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Krishan Kumar, and Murad Khetani, features Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri. The story revolves around Ranvijay Singh, a fierce young man who discovers a plot to assassinate his father, leading him on a journey of revenge.
The film's announcement in January 2021 included details about its extensive cast and crew. Principal photography commenced in April 2022 and concluded by April 2023. The movie, with a runtime of 201 minutes, boasts one of the lengthiest durations in Indian cinema.
Initially slated for an 11 August 2023 release, "Animal" faced delays due to post-production tasks. Ultimately, it hit theaters on 1 December 2023 in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, receiving mixed reviews from critics. Despite the critical reception, the film shattered numerous box office records, becoming a major commercial success.
The plot unfolds in Delhi, focusing on Ranvijay Singh's complex relationship with his father, Balbir Singh, a wealthy tycoon. Ranvijay's return home after years sets off a series of conflicts, conspiracies, and revelations involving family dynamics, betrayal, and a quest for justice.
The cast includes Ranbir Kapoor in a dual role, Anil Kapoor in a dual role, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri. The narrative explores themes of vengeance, family ties, and unexpected alliances. The story takes unexpected turns, leading to a post-credits scene hinting at a new threat.
The film's music, composed by JAM8, Vishal Mishra, Jaani, Manan Bhardwaj, Shreyas Puranik, Ashim Kemson, and Harshwardhan Rameshwar, complements the intense storyline. Cinematography by Amit Roy and editing by Sandeep Reddy Vanga contribute to the film's visual appeal.
"Animal" faced a tumultuous journey during its production, with changes in the cast and shooting locations. The soundtrack, featuring eight tracks, was released in a music launch event in November 2023.
The film's marketing campaign included a teaser release on Kapoor's birthday, a concert with Arijit Singh, and promotions during the 2023 Cricket World Cup. The trailer debuted in November 2023, and the cast made appearances on various shows and events to build anticipation.
Theatrically released on 1 December 2023, "Animal" achieved remarkable success at the box office, breaking records and earning praise for Ranbir Kapoor's performance. The film's global gross surpassed ₹915.53 crore, solidifying its position as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2023.
Despite the box office triumph, "Animal" received mixed reviews from critics. Some lauded the film's mass appeal, performances, and thrilling sequences, while others criticized its length, violence, and narrative shortcomings. The film's reception on review aggregator sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic reflected the polarized opinions among critics.