Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal has emerged as one of the most divisive releases in Bollywood in recent times. The film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri, has ignited a flurry of discussions—not only due to its box office performance but also because of its contentious themes and character representations. While Ranbir Kapoor’s powerful performance and Triptii Dimri’s character garnered significant attention, the film faced substantial criticism for seemingly glorifying problematic behaviors.
Amidst this controversy, Rashmika Mandanna, who portrayed Geetanjali Iyengar Singh—Ranbir’s wife in the film—has come forward to defend both the film and her co-star’s complex character.
In response to the criticism during a recent interview, Rashmika stated, “I viewed the film simply as a film. When a hero smokes on screen, people claim he is encouraging others to do the same. However, smoking has become quite commonplace in society today. I do not attend films to be influenced in any manner. Personally, I would never smoke on screen, but that is my viewpoint. If I am involved in Animal, I will still encourage viewers to watch it as a film.”
She further highlighted that the selection of films is completely voluntary, stating, “If someone is going to be influenced by a film, then they should watch the films that resonate with them. No one is compelling anyone to view a film. If that were true, every film would achieve blockbuster status.”
Rashmika also discussed the complex themes present in the film and Ranbir’s troubled character, remarking, “Each of us has grey areas—we are never simply black or white. We all possess shades of grey. It’s merely that Sandeep Reddy Vanga chose to portray a flawed character, and that’s the essence of it.” She pointed out that the film’s commercial success is indicative of its reception: “It appears to me that audiences have embraced it because it performed well at the box office. Therefore, I didn’t feel the need to be unsettled by the discussions surrounding it.”
Concluding her remarks, the Pushpa actress stated, “We created this film, it succeeded, and people have their own opinions about it—whether they liked it or not is a personal matter. Audiences should truly watch a film for what it represents, rather than judge an actor for embodying these roles. It’s referred to as acting for a reason.”
On the professional front, Rashmika has an exciting lineup of forthcoming projects including Rainbow, Thama, and The Girlfriend.
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