Khushbu criticizes Ranbir Kapoor's blockbuster Animal, questions society's mindset

Seasoned actress and politician Khushbu Sundar has joined the growing list of celebrities who have slammed director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's recent blockbuster Animal . Starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role, Animal was initially released in cinemas last December. However, it continues to dominate the pop cultural discourse of the country with polarising reactions.

While some claim Animal is a "modern-day classic", there are others who consider the film to be a reflection of everything that's wrong with society.

Khushbu raises questions about audience choices

In a recent panel discussion, Khushbu expressed her concerns about the impact of films like Animal on society and questioned the mindset of those celebrating its success. She remarked, "If a film like Animal continues to bring in moolah and becomes one of the highest-grossing box office films, we need to really think about the mindsets of people who really go and watch such films."

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While addressing challenges faced by women in their personal and professional lives, Khushboo highlighted the potential negative influence of films like Animal on young minds. She emphasized, "They are all young men, educated youngsters. ‘Oh, we love the film.’ And I’m like, ‘Guys, what’s going on in your mind?’ I didn't want my girls to watch this film. But, my girls did go and watch that film because they wanted to know what it was about. They came back and said, 'Amma, please don't watch this film.' And such movies have repeat audiences. We need to understand that mindset before we talk about the changes we bring in society."

Khushbu revealed that she heeded the warnings of her daughters and refrained from watching the movie.

Never-ending Animal controversy

Sandeep Reddy Vanga has become one of the most controversial films in India. It faced criticism for its portrayal of female characters, with many alleging that the film glorified toxic masculinity traits. Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the film on the behaviour of young people, potentially hindering efforts to achieve equal rights and opportunities for women in society.

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Despite the controversies, Animal has emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of all time, accumulating over Rs 900 crore in worldwide ticket sales. The star-studded cast includes Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri.

Animal is now streaming on Netflix.

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