Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga has responded to criticism of his film Animal, particularly remarks made by IAS officer and UPSC mentor Vikas Divyakirti, who had said that a film like Animal “takes our society back by 10 years.” Speaking on the Game Changers podcast, Vanga addressed how some critics dissected his film for hours while ignoring pressing social issues.
Sandeep Reacts to Vikas Divyakirti’s Comments
Vanga recalled an IAS officer’s criticism of Animal, noting how serious the remarks sounded. “There is this IAS officer. In a very serious interview, he said, Movies like Animal shouldn’t be made,” he said. “The way he was saying it, I literally felt like I had committed a crime.” He was referring to Vikas Divyakirti, who, during an interview with Neelesh Misra last year, argued that Animal lacked social value and only focused on financial success.
Divyakirti had stated, “A film like Animal takes our society back by 10 years. A film like this should not be made. You earned money. You showed that your hero behaves like an animal. There should be some social value, or are people working only for financial value?”
“Cracking IAS Is Easier Than Filmmaking”: Sandeep Vanga
In response, Vanga claimed that preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam is easier than becoming a filmmaker. “I feel that he is an IAS officer, he studied to become one. What I think is, go to Delhi, get enrolled in an institute, give 2-3 years of your life, you can crack IAS. There will be a limited amount of books, right? You will study 1,500 books… you can crack IAS. I’ll give you in writing,” he said.
He further emphasized that filmmaking requires no structured course or teacher that can ensure success, implying that becoming a filmmaker is a more uncertain and complex process than clearing a structured examination.
About Animal and Its Mixed Reception
Released in 2023, Animal is an action-drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri. While it was a huge commercial success, it faced criticism for its portrayal of toxic masculinity and misogyny.
Despite the mixed reviews, the film was widely discussed in pop culture and drew strong reactions from both fans and critics, including IAS officer Vikas Divyakirti, whose remarks have now sparked a debate on the responsibility of filmmakers in shaping societal narratives.
Sources By Agencies
