Javed Akhtar compares Animal makers to ‘perverts’, shares why the film succeeded

Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar recently revisited his earlier comments on Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. The former screenwriter, who faced criticism for calling the success of films like Animal a “dangerous trend” earlier this year, clarified in a recent interview that he was not criticising the film itself but rather the audience’s choices.
In an interview with Mojo Story, Javed Akhtar clarified that his opinions weren’t about the film itself, but rather about the audience who appreciated it. He said, “I didn’t express my opinion on Animal, I spoke about the audience that watched it. If 15 people have made a film with the wrong values, if 10–12 people make obscene songs, that’s not the problem. If 15 people are perverts among the 140 crore population, it doesn’t matter. When that thing goes on the market and becomes a superhit, that’s the problem.”
During the same conversation, he was also asked why Animal was such a blockbuster. The lyricist-screenwriter responded by saying, “The title tells you why. The title is self-explanatory.”
When asked about the film industry’s changing portrayal of women, particularly in the context of films like Animal, Javed said, “Societies don’t move in a linear manner. So many things keep happening together. However, just like how there are many sub-plots in stories, there is also a main theme. We have to see what’s the main theme. All these are sub-plots, some are good, some are bad.”
He continued, “It’s not like the whole society changes together, completely. Some people take very small and hesitant steps, while others move faster. Animal also exists.”
During an earlier interview with We Are Yuvaa, Javed Akhtar discussed a scene from the Ranbir Kapoor-led film and criticised it. When asked if he watched the film, he said, “No, thank god. I have not seen Animal. People told me about it, and I read in the news that he asks her (Triptii Dimri’s character) to lick his (Ranbir Kapoor’s character) shoe. She bends down, but thank god they cut it right there.”
Animal, also starring Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Bobby Deol, among others, released in December 2023. The film went on to become one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.