PremiumAnimal: Sandeep Reddy Vanga reveals why Bobby Deol’s Abrar was deaf and mute in the Ranbir Kapoor film - Find out
Animal stars Bobby Deol as Abrar Haque, a ruthless assassin who can go to any extent to kill his enemies but he is also deaf and mute. Here's why.
Why Was Bobby Deol Mute And Deaf In Animal?
Last Updated: 10.31 AM, Feb 28, 2025
It has been over a year since the release of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal**, yet the film continues to be a topic of discussion. Starring Kapoor as a ruthless man on a mission to earn his father’s love and approval, the movie sparked numerous debates about its violent themes and the problematic nature of its characters. Despite the controversies, Animal became one of the biggest box office successes of 2023.
However, the film also left audiences with several unanswered questions, possibly hinting at a sequel—or simply challenging fans to theorize on their own. One of the biggest mysteries was why Bobby Deol’s character, Abrar Haque, was mute. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has finally addressed this lingering question.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga on Bobby Deol’s Abrar Haque
Directed and written by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Animal features a star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, and Anil Kapoor. Bobby Deol plays Abrar Haque, a menacing antagonist determined to eliminate Ranbir’s Ranvijay at any cost. However, what puzzled fans was why the filmmakers chose to make Abrar mute and deaf, especially after giving him such a powerful introduction.
In a recent interview with Game Changers, Vanga explained the creative choice behind this decision. The director, known for his bold storytelling, shared that he wanted to break away from the typical hero-villain dynamic seen in many films.
He pointed out how, in most movies, the hero and the villain engage in heated confrontations over the phone, exchanging dramatic insults and threats throughout the story. Vanga wanted to avoid this cliché in his second Hindi film, leading him to make an unconventional choice for Abrar’s character.
"So while I was shaping Bobby Deol’s Abrar Haque for Animal, I thought to myself, ‘What if he is mute?’ Then I realized that would also make him deaf. The idea of a deaf and mute antagonist battling it out in the climax was incredibly exciting to me. That’s when I decided to go for it," Vanga explained.
Bobby Deol on His Limited Screen Time in Animal
Recently, in an interview with Pinkvilla, Bobby Deol addressed fans' complaints about his limited screen time in Animal. While he admitted that he would have loved to have more scenes, he also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, even if it was only for 15 days.
"I knew I had an opportunity—I had 15 days to shoot, and I was working with Sandeep Reddy Vanga. I knew it was going to be amazing, and that’s why I said it. Not because I wanted more screen time. But since I answered that question, it kind of backfired on me. It happens," Deol said.
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