Deciding not to portray his role as a typical villain, Bobby Deol, who recently featured in the film Animal. Expressed on Thursday that he viewed his character, Abrar Haque, through the lens of childhood trauma. In Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film, where Ranbir Kapoor takes the lead, the 54-year-old actor is being lauded for his impactful portrayal of the menacing mute gangster, challenging traditional villainous stereotypes.

 

Bobby Deol Challenges Villain Stereotypes in Animal

Returning to the big screen after a four-year hiatus with Animal, Bobby Deol provided insights into his character, Abrar Haque, describing him as a “family man.” Rejecting the traditional villain label. Deol emphasized the character’s childhood trauma, witnessing his grandfather’s suicide and subsequently losing his voice. The actor shared that Abrar is driven by a vow to avenge his grandfather’s death.

During a session at Agenda Aaj Tak 2023 in New Delhi, Bobby Deol went on to depict Abrar as not only family-oriented but also romantic.  His character’s unique trait of having three wives. Deol added that Abrar is willing to both kill and be killed for the sake of his family.

“Animal” Triumphs at Box Office Amid Controversy

Animal Nears ₹800 Crore at Global Box Office Amid Criticism for Violence

The action drama, featuring Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Triptii Dimri, is approaching the ₹800 crore milestone in worldwide box office collections. Released in multiple languages on December 1, Animal presents a father-son narrative.

Despite its financial success, the film has faced criticism on social media for its perceived misogynistic and graphically violent storytelling. Responding to the criticism, Deol defended the violence, considering it an emotion that reflects societal dynamics.

Deol emphasized that the characters in Animal embody an animalistic nature, leading to intense violence in the narrative. He argued that the film’s depiction mirrors real societal issues and serves as a reflection of the world we live in.

Acknowledging his role as an actor, Deol highlighted the film’s potential to raise awareness about societal realities. He clarified that his intention is not to promote any particular viewpoint but to portray a story that resonates with the audience’s understanding of the world around them.