Ranbir Kapoor ’s portrayal of Ranvijay Singh in Sandeep Reddy Vanga ’s 'Animal' won over many fans, with his iconic long hair and beard still being talked about. However, celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim recently revealed in an interview that Sandeep was initially unsure about the look, as it reminded him too much of Ranbir’s appearance in 'Sanju'.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga needed convincing on Ranbir’s look in 'Animal'
Speaking to Galatta India, hairstylist Aalim revealed that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga was hesitant at first about giving Ranbir Kapoor long hair and a beard for his character in 'Animal'. Aalim explained that Sandeep had to be persuaded because the look played a crucial role in creating the character’s impact. According to him, without the long hair and beard, the character wouldn’t have been as powerful. “Vanga sir initially said the long hair isn’t working, he’s looking like Sanju. How he looked in the Sanjay Dutt biopic. I had to convince him that he won’t look like that once his whole look is put together.”
About the film
'Animal' tells the story of Ranvijay Singh, who embarks on a violent path after his father, Balbir Singh (played by Anil Kapoor ), comes under threat. Along the way, Ranvijay encounters numerous enemies before facing his long-lost cousin, Abrar Haque (played by Bobby Deol). Rashmika Mandanna plays Geethanjali, Ranvijay’s wife, while Triptii Dimri portrays Zoya, his lover. The film ends on a cliffhanger, introducing a new villain and setting the stage for a sequel titled 'Animal Park'. Like Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s earlier films, 'Animal' drew criticism for its depiction of women. Despite the backlash, the film was a massive commercial success.
Upcoming projects
Following his roles in the 2023 releases 'Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar' and 'Animal', Ranbir Kapoor is currently filming 'Love & War' with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, as well as 'Ramayana' with Nitesh Tiwari.
Meanwhile, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga is preparing to direct Prabhas in an upcoming cop drama titled 'Spirit', which is expected to begin shooting later this year. Deepika Padukone was originally set to be part of the film but was replaced by Triptii Dimri after she opted out due to concerns over pay and working hours.