Bhumi Pednekar Shares Thoughts on “Animal” and Hyper-Masculine Films

In a recent interview with The Lallantop, actor Bhumi Pednekar expressed her views on Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film “Animal,” starring Ranbir Kapoor. Pednekar stated that she had watched the film but admitted that she is not a fan of hyper-masculine films. She shared that her disinterest in such films is not recent but has been a long-standing preference, extending even to Hollywood action films. According to Pednekar, she enjoys romantic comedies more as a genre.

While acknowledging the filmmaker’s right to self-expression, Pednekar emphasized the challenge for the audience to extract meaningful lessons from the film. She believes that a film is a reflection of the filmmaker’s self-expression, and understanding the takeaways from that expression is essential for the audience.

“Animal,” which emerged as a blockbuster success at the box office, has faced criticism for allegedly promoting misogyny and celebrating toxic masculinity. The film follows a man returning from the US after an attempt on his emotionally distant father’s life. Seeking validation, the protagonist embarks on a vengeful rampage against those who targeted his father.

Despite its commercial success, “Animal” has been a subject of controversy, with some stars criticizing its portrayal of masculinity. Ranbir Kapoor leads the ensemble cast, which includes Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, Suresh Oberoi, Shakti Kapoor, and Prem Chopra. The film was released on Netflix on January 26.