Actor Bobby Deol addressed the contentious marital rape scene featured in his latest film Animal, stating its necessity in character portrayal. The movie has faced criticism for its depiction of toxic masculinity and the glorification of misogynistic behavior. Bobby, along with co-stars Triptii Dimri and Mansi Taxak, has discussed some of the film’s controversial aspects.
In an interview with The Quint, Bobby expressed his indifference towards film reviews, mentioning that he considers them a futile investment of energy, especially since Animal has received negative feedback from critics. Refuting the perception of his character as a villain, he defended the scene, citing its importance in showcasing the character’s traits and capabilities within a limited time span.
When questioned about the potential influence of such scenes on audiences, particularly concerning societal norms, Bobby highlighted the reflection of real-life occurrences in storytelling but clarified that the portrayal isn’t an endorsement. He emphasized the role of actors in entertaining audiences and suggested that if the film were promoting such behavior, it wouldn’t have garnered significant success.
Drawing parallels to his previous controversial web series Aashram, Bobby remarked on the audiences’ positive reception despite its contentious content. Addressing concerns about misogyny in the film Animal, Bobby suggested that the portrayal aims to shed light on the existence of cruelty prevalent in society.
Earlier, Mansi Taxak, who portrays one of Abrar’s wives, stated a contrasting perspective on the scene, describing it as a result of emotional turmoil rather than an intended assault. She emphasized the unpredictable nature of animal instincts, rationalizing the character’s actions within the narrative context.
Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Animal stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role and has achieved substantial box office success, surpassing Rs 450 crore in India and Rs 750 crore worldwide.
