Animal Movie Review: When Will Indian Cinema Stop Making Films Targeting 25-Year-Old Boys with the Maturity of 5-Year-Olds?

Animal Review: A Juvenile Odyssey

“Animal,” the latest addition to Indian cinema, leaves much to be desired as it continues the trend of targeting a specific demographic – 25-year-old boys with the maturity level of 5-year-olds. The film revolves around guns, juvenile jokes about underwear, angry young men, and improbable dreams of engaging in intimate activities on two-seater airplanes on auto-pilot mode, almost crashing into mountains for added drama.

It was interesting to see that the audience (again mostly male below the age of thirty) clapped on two instances—one is one Ranbir Kapoor made his appearance (in his Rockstar reminiscent style) and then when the proudly “Made in India” weapons were announced to have been manufactured in Bangalore.

Oh Ranbir Kapoor — Perpetuating Misogyny through Characters

The film perpetuates the problematic portrayal of men who expect women to swoon at their feet simply because they behave obnoxiously. Ranbir Kapoor, in particular, seems stuck in a loop of portraying dark, desperate, and angry characters that inadvertently become ideals for a certain section of the young male population. The underlying misogyny embedded in his characters is disheartening and perpetuates regressive ideals.

Kapoor’s Shining Performance in a Dim Narrative

On a positive note, Kapoor’s performance is commendable. He delivers a convincing performance, showcasing his acting prowess. Unfortunately, his talent is often overshadowed by the questionable choices in character roles.

Redemption in an Asynchronous Musical Score

The music in Animal is a redeeming factor. Though asynchronous, it works well within the context of the film. The soundtrack adds a layer of depth to the narrative, providing some respite from the otherwise lackluster storytelling (and some relief from the constant sonic bombardment of guns erupting everywhere). I do wish they had given us headphones (like they gave the bodyguards) to reduce the decibel levels!

Excessive Violence, Desired by a Certain Audience

However, the film falls prey to excessive violence, which may prove to be off-putting for many viewers. The relentless aggression caters to a specific audience – young males under the age of 25 who revel in the chaos reminiscent of films like Mad Max. Unfortunately, this approach alienates a more diverse audience. Too many Indian movies of late are doing exactly like this—from Jawaan to Pathan to RRR. Let’s move on, guys!

A Desperate Plea for Cinematic Diversity

In a cinematic landscape that leans heavily towards a young male demographic, it’s disheartening to see the industry neglect storytelling with depth and heart. Animal serves as a reminder of the skewed priorities in movie-making, and one can only hope for a shift towards more inclusive narratives that resonate with a broader audience. The film’s focus on catering to a specific age group may offer momentary success, but it ultimately misses the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the art of storytelling in Indian cinema.

Here’s hoping movies that cater to the 500 million+ women in India in the near future…