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  • Puneet Issar loved Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal', says south films like 'Pushpa' are working because they are 'alpha-male', slams Bollywood for making too many lesbian, gay movies

Puneet Issar loved Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal', says south films like 'Pushpa' are working because they are 'alpha-male', slams Bollywood for making too many lesbian, gay movies

Veteran actor Puneet Issar praised 'Animal's' success and attributed the popularity of South Indian films like 'Pushpa' and 'RRR' to their focus on alpha-male characters, contrasting them with Bollywood's perceived shift towards LGBTQ+ themes. He criticized Bollywood for prioritizing films about lesbianism and homosexuality, questioning their appeal to a wider audience.
Puneet Issar loved Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal', says south films like 'Pushpa' are working because they are 'alpha-male', slams Bollywood for making too many lesbian, gay movies
Ranbir Kapoor's 'Animal' went on to cross Rs 500 crore at the box office. While it did well at the box office, it generated mixed reviews. While some loved it, many criticised the movie for being misogynistic. Now in a recent interview, veteran actor Puneet Issar has spoken about 'Animal' and opened up on why south movies are doing better than Hindi movies. Puneet is known largely for playing Duryodhan in BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat' apart from movies like 'Coolie', 'Border' and more.
The actor also reflected on the success of 'Pushpa' and said during a chat with Digital Commentary, "People like Allu Arjun… Pushpa was such a big hit because it connected with the masses. Why was RRR a hit? Because the South doesn’t have corporates. They make male-dominated films. This doesn’t mean they are male chauvinists. No. The South makes proper alpha-male films—this is the reality, and people want to watch it. That is why Salman and Shah Rukh are such big superstars. When Ranbir Kapoor does an Animal, it becomes a superhit. It was an amazing film."
He also slammed Bollywood for just making too many movies about lesbians and gay. He added. When he was told about the kind of cricitism people had for 'Animal', Puneet reacted, "What difference does it make what they say? Should we really be watching the kind of films they make? There was an Ayushmann Khurrana film, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, which released at 12 and was pulled out by 12:30. Is that the kind of film we should be making? No, we shouldn’t. Even in Satyam Shivam Sundaram, there was a certain dignity maintained. Aap sirf lesbianism par film banana chahte hain? Yaa gays pe film banana chahte hain? (Do you only want to make films about lesbianism or gays?) Fine, that is one section of society—I do not deny their existence. I respect everyone."
Also See: Best Hindi Movies of 2025 | Top 20 Hindi Movies of 2025| Latest Hindi Movies
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TOI Entertainment Desk

The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life.

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