Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga recently addressed the criticism his film Animal received, particularly from IAS officer and UPSC professor Vikas Divyakirti. Speaking on the Game Changers podcast, Sandeep expressed frustration over how people scrutinized Animal extensively while ignoring critical social issues.
Sandeep Recalls Vikas Divyakirti’s Comments
Referring to Divyakirti’s comments, Sandeep said, “There is this IAS officer. In a very serious interview, he said, ‘Movies like Animal shouldn’t be made.’ The way he said it, I literally felt like I had committed a crime. He compared Animal to 12th Fail, saying one film inspires people while the other pulls society backward.”
“Cracking IAS is Easier Than Making Films” – Sandeep
Responding to the criticism, Sandeep argued that becoming an IAS officer is a structured process, whereas filmmaking is not something that can be taught. “If someone attacks unnecessarily, anger is natural. I feel that if you go to Delhi, enroll in an institute, and dedicate 2-3 years, you can crack IAS. There are limited books—around 1,500—but there is no set course or teacher that can make you a filmmaker and a writer,” he stated.
Vikas Divyakirti’s Criticism of Animal
Last year, Divyakirti criticized Animal in an interview with Neelesh Misra, stating that the film takes society “10 years backward” and has no social value. He questioned whether filmmakers were only working for financial gains rather than making films with meaningful messages.
About Animal
Released in 2023, Animal is an action drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri. The film received mixed reviews, facing criticism for glorifying toxic masculinity and misogyny, but was a massive commercial success.
