Shahid Kapoor confirms Kabir Singh cameo was planned for Ranbir Kapoor's Animal; here’s why it didn’t happen

Shahid Kapoor confirms he almost had an Animal cameo as Kabir Singh. While logistics failed, a future "Vanga-verse" remains possible. Currently, he's set to star in Vishal Bhardwaj's O'Romeo.

Shahid Kapoor in a still from Kabir Singh; Ranbir Kapoor in a still from Animal

An explosive February is on the horizon for Bollywood, and Shahid Kapoor has finally put an end to the long-running speculation about a possible "Vanga-verse" among his fans. Speculation has been rife regarding a crossover between his iconic character, Kabir Singh, and the brutal world of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 2023 blockbuster, Animal particularly ahead of the sequel, Animal Park.

Was Kabir Singh originally supposed to appear in Animal?

Kapoor recently acknowledged that the idea of a confrontation between Ranbir Kapoor's Ranvijay Singh and his Kabir Singh was more than simply a fan fantasy, even if fans had spent years modifying trailers and fantasising about it. In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar, the actor disclosed that the first Animal film actually contemplated a cameo.

Kapoor claims that Vanga had foretold a certain point when the tumultuous protagonists' paths would intersect. But merging the two realms was an impossible logistical feat back then.

ALSO READ: Shahid Kapoor to bookend 2026 with strategic 6-month gap between O' Romeo and Cocktail 2

What did Shahid Kapoor say about the failed cameo?

The actor stated, "Jab 'Animal' bhi ban rahi thi, actually Sandeep had come to meet me. He wanted one scene of Kabir to be there in that, but woh ho nahi paaya... Kuch dates ka issue ho gaya, koi dusra issue ho gaya. But yes, he had said that I want one scene. Phir wo hua nahi." (When Animal was being made, actually Sandeep had come to meet me. He wanted Kabir to have one scene in it, but that couldn’t happen. There were some date issues and some others. But yes, he had said that he wanted one scene. Then it didn’t happen.)

The door for a future appearance is theoretically open, as Animal Park is officially set to go on floors in mid-2027 following Vanga's completion of Spirit starring Prabhas. Kapoor quickly shifted the creative responsibility back to the filmmaker, pointing out that the creator ultimately controls the fate of these characters.

Who ultimately decides the future of the characters?

"Woh dono characters unke hain, woh duniya unki hai. Toh unke saath unko jo mann mein aayega karne ke liye, woh karenge... (Both those characters are his; that world is his. So whatever he feels like doing with them, he’ll do)", he declared.

Many people still have strong opinions on Vanga's directing technique. Despite being a huge financial success in 2019, Kabir Singh faced heavy criticism for its portrayal of toxic masculinity. Similarly, Animal—also starring Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri—was highly criticised for its graphic violence and controversial topics, yet the movie nonetheless managed to dominate the box office.

What Is Shahid Kapoor’s next major collaboration?

With Vishal Bhardwaj's highly anticipated O'Romeo set to debut soon, Kapoor is currently diverting his attention from the "Vanga-verse" to it. An adaptation of a narrative from S Hussain Zaidi's book, The Mafia Queens of Mumbai the film marks his fourth collaboration with the maverick filmmaker, following Kaminey, Haider, and Rangoon.

O'Romeo" stars Kapoor as Ustara in a story set against the grimy backdrop of post-independence Mumbai, and it is scheduled to hit theatres this Friday, February 13, 2026. The film follows the success of Border 2 and comes out in the midst of a busy box office season. It is expected to add a more subtle and dramatic edge to the lineup for February 2026.

Shahid Kapoor FAQs:

Q: Will Kabir Singh be in Animal Park?

A: While not officially confirmed, Shahid Kapoor recently revealed that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had originally planned for Kabir Singh to appear in Animal (2023). Shahid noted that the "Vanga-verse" is entirely the director's creative domain, leaving the door ajar for a potential crossover in the 2027 sequel, Animal Park.

Q: What is the release date of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal Park?

A: Animal Park is scheduled to begin filming in mid-2027. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga will move on to the sequel only after completing Spirit, his upcoming cop-drama starring Prabhas, which is slated for a March 2027 release.

Q: When is Shahid Kapoor’s movie O’Romeo releasing?

A: O’Romeo, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, is scheduled to hit theaters this Friday, February 13, 2026. The film marks the fourth collaboration between Shahid and Bhardwaj.

Share