In a cinematic showdown that promises to be as explosive as a Bollywood action film can get, T-Series has finally dropped the long-awaited trailer for Animal. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the movie stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Bobby Deol in what seems to be a hyper-violent rollercoaster of revenge, family drama, and, well, a shirtless fight on an airstrip.
The trailer opens with a bang, quite literally, as Ranbir Kapoor’s character engages in an intense exchange with his on-screen father, played by Anil Kapoor. The dynamics are toxic and the intensity is palpable, setting the stage for a storyline that’s part Punjabi rap video, part Shakespearean family tragedy. Ranbir, playing the scion of a wealthy business family, takes center stage as a son hell-bent on avenging his father’s attack, a plot that echoes shades of The Godfather with a Bollywood twist.
As the trailer unfolds, it becomes clear that Animal is not holding back on the drama, with Ranbir’s character evolves from a troubled son seeking approval to a ruthless force of nature, armed with knives, axes and even a machine gun. The glimpse into his violent upbringing adds layers to the character, and it’s evident that dad Anil Kapoor’s strictness and emotional detachment plays a pivotal role in shaping Ranbir’s dark side.
Enter Rashmika Mandanna as the wife, caught in the crossfire of Ranbir’s daddy issues. The trailer hints at a disturbing portrayal of gender dynamics, with Ranbir’s character choking Rashmika’s character for daring to comment on his father. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for his previous hits like Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh, appears to be diving into familiar territory, but with Animal, the stakes are higher, bloodier and perhaps more brutal than ever.
Bobby Deol makes a late, impactful entry as the mute villain, setting the stage for an all-out gang war. The implication that Ranbir’s character might have killed someone close to Bobby’s character adds a layer of complexity, turning the narrative into a collision course between the protagonist and antagonist. And let’s not forget the shirtless showdown on the airstrip, because what’s a Bollywood action flick without a dramatic face-off?
The runtime of over three hours and 20 minutes positions Animal as one of the longest mainstream Hindi releases in recent memory, rivaling even Martin Scorsese’s epic Killers of the Flower Moon. With the film set to clash with Vicky Kaushal’s Sam Bahadur, the box office is gearing up for a showdown, especially after the somewhat underwhelming performance of Salman Khan’s Tiger 3.
Ranbir Kapoor, who last graced the screen in the romantic comedy Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, alongside Shraddha Kapoor, is stepping into uncharted territory with Animal. The actor, known for his nuanced performances, seems to have embraced the challenge of portraying a character that’s not just complex but also unapologetically dark.
While the trailer hints at a gripping narrative filled with blood, vengeance, and a touch of toxic masculinity, only time will tell if Animal lives up to the hype. With a stellar cast, melodious tunes, a director with a track record of box office hits, and a storyline that promises to be anything but ordinary, Animal is poised to be a wild ride into the heart of Bollywood’s darker side. Mark your calendars for December 1, 2023, and get ready to witness the unleashing of the beast on the big screen in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
