The influence that films have on audiences, and the moral responsibilities of actors and filmmakers, has been a topic of discussion for a long time now. However, it was after the release of director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal in December last year that the topic gained further momentum, with many criticising the film for glorifying misogyny and violence. During the latest edition of Expresso, Taapsee Pannu was asked if she would have said yes to a film like Animal, to which she said, “On paper, yes.”
She explained, “If I would have read the script of Animal, I would have been equally excited as Ranbir Kapoor… But, the difference is… when you read a script and when you see what you see, it is the director’s medium. When I am reading a script, I don’t know which shot he is putting low angle and high BGM on… I can’t see that through script. It is only the director who can communicate that with the shot-taking and with the post-production. You conceive a certain scene and shot. Heroism, or how you celebrate (a character, depends on how the scene is shot), it will not be on paper.”
Citing the example of the character that she played in the film Badla, Taapsee said that she knew what she was signing up for, and was aware that she was going to play ‘an out and out dark character’ who would not be redeemed in any way. “Nowhere in the entire film you will see them celebrating my darkness,” she said, adding, “Now, that’s where director’s politics comes in. That’s why it is a director’s medium which no actor can read when they are reading the script.”
Reiterating that she would have said ‘yes’ to Animal on paper as well, Taapsee said, “It was a little strange to hear cheers and whistles at certain moments and points where I wouldn’t have liked the BGM to grow like that, where the audience is forced to cheer, clap and whistle at certain moments. That’s the issue.”
Taapsee, who has worked in films like Thappad and Haseen Dillruba, also shared how important it is for actors to have a moral responsibility towards their audience. She said, “I don’t know if it is right or wrong to take the moral responsibility. European cinema doesn’t do that. We do it. Majority of American cinema also does that. But, maybe it’s a cultural thing in us that we like that downfall of the (villain) and the hero coming to save everyone… I don’t mind playing black/grey characters…”
Taapsee said that she has rejected dark roles that are glorified in the script, because she understands the impact that films have on audiences. “If they watch a Tere Naam, they start to copy the hero’s hairstyle. Let’s not run away from that, I am aware of that and I am happy to embrace and accept that and take a bit of responsibility of that,” she said.
Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, stars Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles. The film grossed over Rs 900 crore at the global box office. However, Animal received massive backlash for glorifying misogyny, and violence.
