Discussing a poignant moment in her recent hit, “Animal,” Rashmika Mandanna revealed her experience with a particularly intense scene where she had to slap her onscreen husband, portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor. During an interview with Pinkvilla, the actor shared that the emotional depth of the scene left her in tears and screams once it concluded. Rashmika also recounted the guidance provided by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga before the scene, highlighting how his advice played a crucial role in her performance.
Reflecting on the challenging scene in “Animal,” Rashmika Mandanna shared, “The entire sequence was a single take due to the dynamic movements involved. It was unpredictable, and I didn’t have a preconceived plan. Sandeep instructed me to immerse myself in the emotions of the character in that situation. I recall only this. The moments between action and cut are a blur; my mind went blank, and I couldn’t process everything.”
In this pivotal scene from “Animal,” Rashmika Mandanna’s character, Gitanjali, confronts her husband Rannvijay after he discloses his intimate encounter with Zoya, portrayed by Triptii Dimri. Rannvijay defends his actions, claiming it was a necessary step to unveil Zoya’s true intentions. Gitanjali reacts by delivering a resounding slap, sparking a tense and dramatic altercation between the two characters.
Following the intense scene, Rashmika Mandanna shared her experience of comforting Ranbir Kapoor, stating, “After the sequence, genuine tears were flowing. I had just slapped him, the chaos unfolded, and I rushed to Ranbir, asking, ‘Was that okay? Are you alright?’ We completed that sequence in half a day. I found immense satisfaction in that moment, realizing the unique thrill of being an actor. Such sequences are not crafted every day, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this film and enact this scene. I even surprised myself.”
Released on December 1 and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, “Animal” garnered immense success, crossing the ₹900 crore mark globally and securing a position among the top-grossing films of the previous year. Featuring Anil Kapoor as Ranbir’s father and Bobby Deol in the role of the antagonist, a formidable yet silent gangster, the crime drama unfolds in a brutal world. The narrative revolves around the tumultuous relationship between Rannvijay Singh and his father Balbir Singh, portraying a starkly violent backdrop. However, the film has faced criticism for its perceived misogyny and extreme violence, drawing mixed reviews from both viewers and critics.