Team Animal Condemns Javed Akhtar's 'Lick My Shoe' Comment: Labels His Art Form as 'Big False'

In December 2023, Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film "Animal," starring Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and Triptii Dimri, made a significant impact at the box office. Despite widespread acclaim, it faced criticism for allegedly glorifying toxic masculinity. Javed Akhtar, a veteran lyricist, recently voiced his concerns, calling the film "dangerous" given its superhit status. In response, the Animal team has now issued a reaction to Akhtar's criticism.

Animal Team Responds to Javed Akhtar's Critique of 'Lick My Shoe' Scene in the Film

Recently, in the wake of Javed Akhtar's criticism of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, featuring a 'lick my shoe' scene with Ranbir Kapoor and Triptii Dimri, the film's team, including Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Bobby Deol, responded with sarcasm.

Today, the official page of the movie took to their X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that if a writer of Akhtar's "caliber" fails to grasp the nuances of lover betrayal, the entire art form becomes a significant falsehood. Additionally, the team made a sarcastic remark regarding feminism.

The Animal’s page’s tweet read, “Writer of your calibre cannot understand the betrayal of a lover (Between Zoya & Ranvijay) then all your art form is big FALSE & If a woman (betrayed and fooled by a man in the name of love) would have said "lick my shoe" then you guys would have celebrated it by calling it feminism. Let love be free from the politics of gender. Let's just call them lovers. LOVER cheated and lied. LOVER said lick my shoe. Period @Javedakhtarjadu.”

Take a Look:

Javed Akhtar’s comment on Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal

At the Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival in Aurangabad, Javed Akhtar delved into the success of modern film genres. While not directly naming Ranbir Kapoor's Animal, he alluded to it in his remarks.

He said, “Agar koi film jisme ek aadmi ek aurat se kahe 'tu mere joote chaat', agar ek aadmi kahe 'iss aurat ko thappad maar dene mein kya kharaabi hai?' wo picture superhit ho to badi khatarnaak baat hai. (If there’s a film in which a man asks a woman to lick his shoe, if a man says it’s okay to slap a woman, and the film is a super hit, that’s dangerous).” 

He alluded to a controversial scene in Animal, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, where his character instructs Triptii Dimri to lick his shoe as a demonstration of her genuine love for him.

Ranbir Kapoor and Triptii Dimri's Animal: A Closer Look at the Highly Anticipated Bollywood Film

"Animal, a gripping crime drama featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, Triptii Dimri, and Anil Kapoor, is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film intricately explores a narrative steeped in violence and conflicts, primarily revolving around the complex father-son relationship.

Ranbir Kapoor takes on a pivotal role in Animal, offering an in-depth portrayal of the intricate dynamics between a father and his son. Anil Kapoor, a seasoned actor, embodies the character of Balbir Singh, the father of Ranbir's character in the storyline. Rashmika Mandanna assumes a significant female role as Geetanjali, the wife of the main character."