PremiumFrom Anil Kapoor's dance to Bobby Deol's 'Balaji' blunder — 4 awkward moments at Animal pre-release event
Here are the four most-awkward moments from the Animal pre-release event that are going viral on the internet.
Last Updated: 01.50 PM, Nov 28, 2023
The pre-release event for the upcoming Bollywood movie Animal was held at Hyderabad's Malla Reddy University on Monday. The event saw the biggest-ever gathering in a South Indian city for an original Hindi film. The credit for this unprecedented turnout goes to Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and hit filmmaker SS Rajamouli.
The superstars from the Hindi film industry had the opportunity to experience the craze that Mahesh and Rajamouli commanded among the young crowd. Without a doubt, the Animal pre-release event was a big success, giving a big boost to the movie in the Telugu states.
However, the event was also marked by a slew of awkward moments as the Bollywood stars immersed themselves in the celebratory atmosphere. Do you remember the scene from the 2018 global blockbuster Avengers: Infinity War, where Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) arrive in Wakanda for the first time? Considering that it's a nation steeped in tradition and devoted to its culture, Bruce asks Rhodey, "Should we bow?"
Rhodey's response, "Yeah. He's A King," encapsulates the cultural shock experienced by Bollywood celebrities witnessing the magnitude of fandom enjoyed by their southern counterparts. Their attempts to blend resulted in a series of amusing incidents, leaving the audience in splits.
Here are the four most-awkward moments from the Animal pre-release event:
Bobby Deol's Balaji blunder
During the event, Bobby Deol made a faux pas when referring to Telugu star Nandamuri Balakrishna, known as Balayya. Instead, Bobby mistakenly called him "Balaji," proclaiming, "I love Balaji… he is awesome!" This slip-up occurred just seconds after the host had excited fans by mentioning Balayya.
Bobby Deol is at it again!
Bobby Deol was caught recording filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga's speech, where he expressed his gratitude to the chief guests for their support. However, things got a little awkward when Bobby got a little creative and the camera literally went below Sandeep's belt.
The awkward speech!
Telangana Minister Malla Reddy put the cast and crew of Animal, particularly Ranbir Kapoor, in a tough spot with his speech. "Ranbir, I have something to tell you. In the next five years, our Telugu people will rule the entire Bollywood and Hollywood. You will have to shift to Hyderabad in the next year. Because Mumbai has become old, Bengaluru has traffic jams. India has only one city now and that is Hyderabad.
Malla Reddy's politically charged speech, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections in Telangana, left not just Ranbir but nearly every member of the film fraternity in an awkward position. The minister's ambitious statements about Telugu dominance created an uneasy atmosphere for the Bollywood attendees.
When Anil Kapoor wanted to dance
Anil Kapoor showcased his dancing skills at the event. However, his attempt to get Mahesh to join him on the dance floor proved unsuccessful. Inviting Mahesh to the stage, Anil roared, "You can't say no to me?"
Out of deep respect for Anil, Mahesh stepped onto the stage and attempted to dance to the hit song "Dole Dole" from Pokiri. However, Anil wanted more, encouraging Mahesh to let loose and dance alongside him. Mahesh appeared flustered, uncertain of how to respond to Anil's persistent requests. In the end, he gave Anil a tight hug and left the stage.
It won't be wrong to say that this was the crowning moment of awareness at the Animal pre-release event.