Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, has been a topic of discussion for its violence and action sequences. Vanga has revealed some of the secrets and thought processes behind creating the movie's intense fight scenes, particularly those involving an axe and a machine gun.
One of the most talked-about scenes in Animal is the axe fight sequence. Some viewers have drawn comparisons between this scene and similar ones in the Korean film Old Boy and Chiranjeevi's Kirathakudu, due to the corridor setting and the use of an axe against multiple opponents. Vanga acknowledged these comparisons, stating that they are common when a movie generates high anticipation. He assured audiences that the Animal fight would distinguish itself through multiple shots and impactful moments.
Another striking scene involves Kapoor's character arriving at his sister's college with a rifle to confront her tormentors. Vanga explained that the scene aimed to highlight the emotional context, where the character is mocked for taking up his sister's cause. He juxtaposed this with a classroom lecture on heat and mass transfer, while in the background, a bullet exits a machine gun. Vanga stated that the intention was to shock the audience with the display of the rifle.
Vanga also revealed details about filming a nearly 19-minute-long fight sequence with assassins. He wanted music to play during this scene and chose to hide the faces of the fighters with animal masks to create a different visual. A Marathi song was used in the background. The length of the fight was designed to justify the protagonist's injuries, which would then lead to a period of recuperation in the film's second half. Vanga structured the fight in stages, incorporating the axe, machine gun, and a large shooting machine.
The film's stunt choreographer, Supreme Sundar, shared the challenges of filming the intense face-off between Ranbir and Bobby Deol in London, where they shot bare-chested action sequences in minus 8-degree temperatures. Sundar also defended the originality of the fight scenes after some viewers suggested they were copied from a South Korean movie.
To prepare for his role in Animal, Ranbir Kapoor underwent a significant physical transformation. His trainer, Shivoham Bhatt, mentioned that after Kapoor's film Tu Jhoothi Mai Makkar, they focused on building a muscular physique for the fight sequences in Animal. This transformation took about a year, with proper training and nutrition. Kapoor's diet for bulking up was designed by his private chef, Chef Shastry, and consisted of large quantities of nutritious, high-protein, and low-carbohydrate foods. Kapoor also followed a rigorous workout routine that included warm-ups, 60-70 minutes of weight training and core workouts, and functional training.
The production designer, Suresh Selvarajan, explained the meticulous crafting of a 500 kg machine gun made from real steel over four months. Approximately 800 masks were created for the gang members in the film. Kapoor himself acknowledged the impact of operating such a large machine on the body and ears during long shooting periods.