Sandeep Reddy Vanga addresses criticism about Ranbir Kapoor’s nude walk scene in 'Animal': 'I decided we would shoot the scene out of focus'

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s directorial venture, 'Animal', became a massive box-office hit, and Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal in the film became the talk of the town as it broke away from his romantic hero image. Even though the film was a box-office success, a section of the audience criticised it for promoting violence and toxic masculinity. In a recent interview, Vanga addressed the discussions surrounding Ranbir’s nude walk following his character’s heart transplant.

During a conversation on Game Changers, Vanga spoke about the much-discussed nude walk scene. “We had to use a prosthetic for the thighs and lower part of the body, and it looked perfect during the test shoot. However, during the actual filming, it did not look good. Initially, we planned to shoot the scene in full focus, using props to cover the groin as he walked. However, since the prosthetics did not work properly, I decided we would shoot the scene out of focus.”
The filmmaker acknowledged that such last-minute changes could be frustrating for an actor, especially after investing hours in preparation. However, Ranbir’s response was unexpectedly smooth. “He simply said ‘okay’ immediately. There was no discussion. It was a ten-minute conversation where I explained that shooting it out of focus would make it feel more eerie and intriguing. And he was ready,” Sandeep added.

Sandeep credited the success of 'Animal' to his seamless creative understanding with Ranbir Kapoor. He explained that their mutual trust allowed them to execute bold scenes without hesitation. Unlike other actors who might have questioned certain choices, Ranbir gave Sandeep complete creative freedom.
'Animal' featured Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Bobby Deol in key roles.