'Animal': Bobby Deol opens up about his limited screentime in the Ranbir Kapoor-led film: 'I wish…’

Bobby Deol delves into his role in 'Animal,' describing his character as ‘obsessed’ with revenge. He approached the role without judgment, fully immersing himself in the mindset of the ruthless antagonist.

The crime drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga unfolds in a violent world, focusing on the strained relationship between Ranbir Kapoor's Ranvijay Singh and his father Balbir Singh, portrayed by Anil Kapoor. Within two days of its release, the film has amassed Rs 236 crore at the box office.

Deol, who garnered attention since the teaser's release in September, embodies the role of antagonist Abrar Haque.

‘In every individual, there's both good and evil, and it's situations that bring out the evil. As an actor, you perceive as the character, believing 'I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm right in what I do.' You lose the ability to discern right from wrong,’ the actor shared with PTI.

He embraced playing a character detached from morals and values, driven by a convincing backstory. ‘There was no hesitation or discomfort in portraying a character devoid of morality. I completely understood Abrar, his savagery and malevolence. I had to embody that,’ Deol elaborated.

Bobby Deol explained the profound reason behind his character Abrar's animalistic demeanor in 'Animal'.

‘He's fixated on revenge. When you're that obsessed, you don't discern between good and bad; you just want to eliminate someone. That's how it goes. In the film, he's endured... It's a trauma that's turned him into this aggressive person,’ Deol elaborated.

Alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, Shakti Kapoor, Suresh Oberoi, and Prem Chopra, 'Animal' has garnered mixed reactions since its release. Critics and audiences have criticized its violent protagonist, displaying toxic masculinity and unrealistic plot elements. Deol acknowledged the impossibility of creating a universally accepted film.

‘Filmmakers craft stories for entertainment. These toxic elements exist in society... Some people may relate to it. But not everyone will like it; not everything can appeal to every individual. As entertainers, we aim to explore various genres,’ the actor expressed.

Despite high anticipation for Deol's role in 'Animal', audience disappointment arose due to his limited screen time. However, Deol focused on the character's depth rather than the role's length.

‘It's not about the duration; it's about the substance in the character. I wished for more scenes, but I knew what I signed up for. I was grateful for the chance to portray this role by Sandeep. I had 15 days of work, knowing I wouldn't be there throughout the film. I was confident people would notice me, but the overwhelming love and appreciation were unexpected,’ he confessed.

Acknowledging the audience's fervent response to his character, Deol expressed hope for a spin-off. Additionally, he detailed the physical challenges of maintaining the role's physique and highlighted his enthusiasm for portraying complex negative characters across different projects.

‘My family is proud of my work in 'Animal'. It's been an incredible year for the Deol family with my brother's success in 'Gadar 2', my film 'Animal' resonating well at the box office, and my father's role in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani',’ Deol happily shared.

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