Animal movie is like a disease: Congress MP lashes out at film for promoting violence, misogyny

New Delhi: The Ranbir Kapoor starrer blockbuster film Animal is not only doing rounds in movie theatres but also in Indian Parliament, however, the reasons are different. 

While the movie garnered massive accolades from the audience, it attracted sharp criticism in Rajya Sabha with a Member of Parliament likening the movie to a ‘disease for the society’. 

What did the Rajya Sabha MP say

Rajya Sabha Congress Member of Parliament Ranjit Ranjan raised the Animal movie issue in Parliament referring to the consequences it can have on society. 

In a recent statement, the MP expressed deep concern over the content of a movie that prompted her daughter to walk out of the theatre. Ranjan criticized the film for its portrayal of violence, shame, and lawlessness, alleging that it seemed to justify such behaviours. She argued that movies with such themes contribute to the promotion of violence and misogyny in society.

Highlighting a specific concern, Ranjan pointed to a song titled "Arjan Vailly" featured in the movie. She underscored the historical significance of Arjan Vailly, the son of Sikh military commander Hari Singh Nalwa, who played a crucial role in the Sikh Empire during the early 19th century. Arjan Vailly was renowned for his bravery, strategic brilliance, and unwavering loyalty. His notable achievements in battles against the Mughals and the British have earned him a revered place in Sikh history. Ranjan expressed dismay at the use of such a historical figure in a movie that she described as violent.

Questioning the role of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Ranjan raised concerns about how such a movie received approval for release. She called into question the criteria used by the CBFC in evaluating and certifying films with potentially harmful content. Ranjan went on to categorize movies of this nature as a "disease" for society, emphasizing the negative impact such content can have on the cultural fabric.

The statement by Ranjit Ranjan highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the portrayal of violence, lawlessness, and misogyny in cinema and the responsibility of regulatory bodies to ensure that films do not propagate harmful ideologies or glorify negative behaviours.

‘Animal’ continues to break records 

Continuing its box office dominance, Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal showed no signs of slowing down on weekdays. Opening at ₹63.8 crore on December 1, the film surged to ₹137.73 crore over the weekend. Despite a 34.48% dip on Monday, Animal crossed the ₹200 crore milestone. Now, within a swift six days, it has achieved an impressive ₹300 crore mark.

Day 6 triumph: ₹30 crore haul

Early estimates suggest Animal raked in ₹30 crore on Wednesday in India, reaching a cumulative ₹312.96 crore. Hindi occupancy remained robust at 34.88%, with a notable 48.74% for the night shows. In the Telugu market, the overall occupancy stood at 25.67%.

Global roar: ₹527.6 crore worldwide

On the worldwide stage, Sandeep Reddy Vanga's directorial has amassed ₹527.6 crore. Starting with ₹116 crore on the opening day, the film's cumulative global collection soared to ₹481 crore by Tuesday. With this trajectory, Animal inches closer to potentially surpassing Ranbir's current highest-grossing film, Sanju.