However, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film has had its share of controversy as a section of the audience criticised the content and felt it was extremely violent and bold in parts. The gritty crime thriller was even brought up in Parliament last month.

Now, Javed Akhtar has spoken out on the kind of films and songs being made today without taking names, putting the onus on the audience to decide what they will accept.

“If there’s a film in which a man asks a woman to lick his shoe, if a man says it’s okay to slap a woman… and the film is a super hit, that’s dangerous,” said the eminent screenwriter, lyricist and poet, referring to the scene between Ranbir and Triptii Dimrii’s characters that generated controversy.

The ‘slapping of a woman’ seems to be in reference to Sandeep’s previous film ‘Kabir Singh’, which starred Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani.

Speaking at the Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival in Aurangabad, Akhtar drew a parallel with how the controversial lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi for the song ‘Choli ke peeche kya hai’ from ‘Khal Nayak’ became a massive hit in the 1990s.

“People wonder why songs are so problematic today. Take Choli Ke Peeche for example, the issue isn’t the seven men and the two women involved in the song’s making. They’re hardly the problem… The problem is that the audience made this song a massive hit. Crores of people liked the song, that’s scary,” said the 78-year-old Akhtar.

“More than the filmmaker, the onus lies with the audience… You take responsibility for the kind of films you watch. That’s what decides what kind of films will be made. You decide what’s made and what should be rejected. The value and moralities shown in our films lie in your hands,” he opined.

‘Animal’ is one of the most successful films of 2023. Released on December 1, the film raked in over Rs 500 crore at the domestic box office. The film left many fans excited as it had a post-credits scene, teasing a sequel titled ‘Animal Park’, in which Ranbir would potentially have a double role.

And now makers have officially confirmed the film’s sequel with an Instagram post on T-Series’ handle, news agency ANI reported.

T-Series announced that they are collaborating with Sandeep Reddy Vanga for three films — ‘Animal Park’, Prabhas’ starrer ‘Spirit’ and one film with Allu Arjun.

“It’s a partnership built on trust, fueled by creative freedom, and fortified by an unbreakable bond. Producer Bhushan Kumar and Director #SandeepReddyVanga unveil the next cinematic wonders–Prabhas’ Spirit, Animal Park, and an Allu Arjun saga–the chapters that follow the monumental success of Kabir Singh and #Animal,” the post read.

On his partnership with Bhushan Kumar, Vanga said, “The kind of freedom he (Bhushan Kumar) gives in terms of my creativity and the liberty to choose any song makes me feel at home at T-Series, and there is nothing more than that a director needs.”

‘Animal’ also starred Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna and Tripti Dimri. The film received polarising reactions from the critics and audiences but it managed to create wonders at box office.