Vivek Agnihotri, the director of "The Kerala Files," has voiced his support for Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the filmmaker behind the controversial movie "Animal". Agnihotri described Vanga as his "alter ego" within the film industry, praising his fearless expression and portrayal of reality.

In a recent interview with Humans Of Bombay, Agnihotri defended Vanga's narrative style in films like "Kabir Singh" and "Animal". He addressed the criticism leveled against Vanga for allegedly promoting toxic masculinity, questioning whether society truly respects women. Agnihotri argued that Vanga is simply presenting the world through his own lens.

Agnihotri further elaborated on why he wouldn't depict a film from an alternative perspective, such as a terrorist's viewpoint, citing a lack of insight into their worldview. He drew a parallel to Shekhar Kapur's "Bandit Queen," which faced initial criticism for portraying Phoolan Devi's perspective but was later understood and justified.

"Animal," starring Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri, has been a subject of significant debate in Bollywood. While some have lauded Kapoor's performance and Dimri's appeal, the film's plot and Vanga's direction have faced scrutiny. The movie has been criticized for its misogynistic themes, glorification of toxic masculinity, and excessive violence.

The film's narrative revolves around Ranvijay Singh, the scion of a steel empire, and his tumultuous relationship with his absentee father. The protagonist's troubled childhood is presented as a justification for his toxic behavior and relationships.

Despite the criticism, "Animal" has achieved commercial success, surpassing $100 million at the global box office. This success, according to Agnihotri, is the root cause of the criticism against Vanga. Agnihotri believes that if Vanga's films were not successful, there would be no issue.

Agnihotri highlighted the hypocrisy within the film industry, where individuals privately criticize stars but lack the courage to speak publicly. He questioned why insiders who disparage major stars like Ranbir Kapoor behind closed doors never voice their opinions openly.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga himself has responded to the criticism, stating that he is more affected by comments from within the film industry than from the general audience. He believes that some members of the film industry lack common sense and have led privileged lives, which affects their understanding of his work. Vanga has also clashed with veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar over the criticism of "Animal" and the perceived lack of similar criticism for Akhtar's son's production, "Mirzapur".

Despite the controversies, "Animal" has received some positive reviews, with praise for Ranbir Kapoor's performance and the film's exploration of a father-son relationship. However, many reviewers have pointed out the film's excessive violence, misogynistic undertones, and lengthy runtime. Some critics have described the protagonist as one of the "vilest" in cinema history.