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The Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal is breaking records at the box office, defying the criticisms that have been directed at its portrayal of toxic masculinity. Actor Saloni Batra, who played Ranbir’s on-screen sister in the film, spoke about these criticisms in a recent interview. She admitted that as a woman, she would be offended if someone behaved like Ranbir’s character with her in real life.
Addressing the same, Saloni shared in an interview with DNA, “I am a facilitator. It’s my job as an actor to facilitate what an artiste wants to bring the table, who are the creators. Now, they have a vision about this character in this world. This character, the way he talks and behaves, is toxic. But the story is about him and Sandeep sir has chosen to tell his story in his way. As an audience, it is our responsibility to watch and decide what is right and wrong. If that character is firing a gun in the college, it doesn’t mean it’s right.”
Saloni Batra admitted that Ranbir’s character is not meant to be idolised, and said, “This is a vision of an artiste for entertainment. In this world, the character stands true, but like I said, it is your responsibility as an audience that you don’t take it home. You came to the theatre and were entertained. And that is the job of cinema. You don’t have to learn from it. You don’t have to take it back home and tell people that it’s ok to say such things to women.” The actor when on to say, “As a woman, I would be offended if someone in real life did that to me. But, such people exist. And this story is about one such story. The director is not being a teacher. He is being an entertainer.”
Saloni has earlier worked in films like Taish and Soni, and shared that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga cast her without an audition as he had seen her work. Sharing about her preparation for the role, Saloni said, “We had a long process because the looks had to be decided for all the ages I had to play. That took time. We had a few readings to decipher how I should be at certain ages.”
Animal is the biggest film in Saloni’s career so far and she is hoping to be a part of the film’s sequel Animal Park, which was teased in the post-credits scene. “I hope it is happening. And we will all know for sure very soon.”
Animal, also starring Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor, has crossed Rs 500 crore at the box office.
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