When Sandeep Reddy Vanga wished he had made 'Animal' even more brutal after seeing Ranbir Kapoor in action

It’s always fascinating to revisit the behind-the-scenes revelations of blockbuster films—and one such candid confession came from the 'Animal' director Sandeep Reddy Vanga earlier this year. Looking back at the making of the film, Vanga shared an interesting what-if: Had he known the full extent of Ranbir Kapoor’s prowess in action sequences, he would’ve amped up the brutality of the film even more.

In a throwback interview with Gallataplus, the 'Kabir Singh' filmmaker admitted he didn’t initially envision the intensity Kapoor eventually brought to the role. While writing Animal, Vanga hadn’t locked anyone for the lead, but as the shoot progressed and he witnessed Ranbir's surprising command over high-octane action and raw emotional outbursts, he realised the film had the potential to be even darker and more ferocious.
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Released in December 2023, Animal was a turning point not just for Vanga’s directorial trajectory but also for Ranbir Kapoor's career. Known predominantly for playing romantic leads and emotionally soft characters, Kapoor underwent a dramatic transformation—both physically and tonally—for the film. His portrayal of a deeply wounded, violent yet vulnerable character left audiences stunned and critics divided.

The film became one of the biggest successes of the year, raking in over ₹900 crore globally. But even amid the accolades, Vanga’s statement stood out—because it suggested that what fans saw was only a glimpse of what Animal could’ve been. "If I had seen Ranbir perform action like that earlier, I would’ve made it even more brutal," he had said with a smile, acknowledging the actor's underutilized potential in the action genre.

Fast-forward to today, and the legacy of Animal is still going strong. Talks of its sequel, Animal Park, have already begun, with fans anticipating even grittier storytelling. And with Vanga at the helm again, and Kapoor expected to reprise his intense avatar, the bar is set sky-high.

Looking back, this revelation serves as a reminder of how dynamic and unpredictable filmmaking can be—and how even seasoned directors can be caught off guard by the brilliance of their actors. If Animal was just the beginning, we can only imagine what Animal Park will unleash.