Sandeep Reddy Vanga responds to Javed Akhtar’s ‘Animal' criticism: “I’d take him seriously if he weren’t a story writer

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for his emotionally charged narratives, recently addressed veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar’s critique of his latest film, 'Animal'.

The remarks were made during Sandeep Reddy Vanga's appearance on Indian Idol, where he was asked to respond to Akhtar’s views on the film’s societal implications.

For the unversed, Javed Akhtar had previously labeled Animal “dangerous for society” in a discussion on Mojo Story, explaining that his concern was less about the film itself and more about the audience's embrace of it. “If 15 people have made a film with the wrong values, if 10-12 people make obscene songs, that’s not the problem. But when that content becomes a superhit, that’s the problem,” Akhtar stated.In response, Sandeep Reddy Vanga acknowledged Javed Akhtar’s perspective, stating, “Javed Akhtar said it’s dangerous for society, and I agree with him. But if Javed Ji wasn’t a lyricist or story writer, I’d take his words seriously.” The director’s candid reply highlighted his respect for Akhtar’s stature while subtly questioning his critical lens.

During the same episode, Sandeep Reddy Vanga delved into the portrayal of mother-son relationships in his films, a recurring point of critique. Reflecting on his personal bond with his mother, he said, “My relationship with my mother is smooth, and because there’s no conflict, I can’t fabricate that on screen. I’ve been criticized for not giving enough importance to the mother’s role in my films, but in real life, I am very attached to my mother. If I ever make a mother-son story, it will be very positive—nothing dark, just good vibes.”



Looking ahead, Sandeep Reddy Vanga has two highly anticipated projects in the pipeline. He is currently directing Spirit, starring Prabhas. After the works of the Prabhas starrer, Sandeep will be directing the sequel of‘Animal,l’ which is titled ‘AnimalPark,’, featuring Ranbir Kapoor.






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