Riddhima Kapoor Sahni Reacts To Criticism Of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal: ‘If My Grandfather Was Here…’ – News18

Last Updated:November 25, 2024, 08:18 IST

Riddhima Kapoor said that if Raj Kapoor were alive, the state of Indian cinema would have been better.

Riddhima Kapoor Sahni recently addressed the criticism surrounding ‘violent’ films like Animal and Pushpa and said that if her grandfather was alive today, the face of Indian cinema would be different. Riddhima is Animal star Ranbir Kapoor‘s elder sister and their grandfather is the late actor Raj Kapoor.

While speaking at Sahitya AajTak 2024, a fan asked Riddhima if the Indian film industry would be different today if Raj Kapoor were still alive. The fan pointed out how Raj Kapoor made films on social issues but Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal has always been a subject of controversy for its “misogynistic” tone.

Riddhima said, “If my grandfather was here today, I am sure you’d have seen some remarkable movies by him. But the audience is watching such movies today.” She noted that such films are made because it’s what the audience likes to watch.

Recently, Javed Akhtar also made a similar note. Javed Akhtar has been open about his criticism of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. However, in a recent chat with Barkha Dutt, Javed Akhtar mentioned that his criticism was for the people who liked the film.

“I didn’t express my opinion on Animal, I spoke about the audience that watched it. If 15 people have made a film with the wrong values, if 10-12 people make obscene songs, that’s not the problem. If 15 people are perverts among the 140 crore population, it doesn’t matter. When that thing goes on the market and becomes a superhit, that’s the problem,” he said.

Javed also mentioned that vulgarity has become a norm now. “There were vulgar songs in the 1920-30s as well, but they did not find general acceptance in households. Vulgarity wasn’t invented in the last ten years, it has existed since forever. However, there wasn’t an acceptance in the middle class for such vulgarity, which exists now,” he said.

Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal was released in December last year and became a massive blockbuster. While Animal was a box office success, which earned over Rs 900 crore worldwide, it was also questioned by many for being ‘misogynistic’. The film sparked a debate on social media, with many slamming director Sandeep Reddy Vanga for his portrayal of Vijay. Javed Akhtar was among the first industry veterans to criticise the film. Earlier, at the 9th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, Javed expressed his concern that the success of films like Animal was “dangerous”.