- Animal film is Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 2023 Hindi action drama starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna as Geetanjali.
- Rashmika's role is the emotional anchor of the story, playing Ranvijay's wife across a decades-spanning timeline.
- Box office: The film grossed over 900 crore worldwide, becoming one of 2023's biggest Hindi releases.
- Where to watch: Streaming availability varies by region; check your local platforms before renting.
- Best approach: Watch the theatrical cut first, then explore the extended edition for deeper character context.
Animal Film Overview: The Movie Behind the Keyword
The Animal film (stylized as ANIMAL) is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action drama written, edited, and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and produced by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures. Rashmika Mandanna plays the female lead, Geetanjali, opposite Ranbir Kapoor's Ranvijay Singh. The film examines a father-son relationship stretched to breaking point, wrapped in an ultra-violent revenge narrative.
The film released theatrically on December 1, 2023, in multiple languages including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. With a runtime of over three hours, it became one of the most discussed — and most divisive — Hindi films of its year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Animal (ANIMAL) |
| Release date | December 1, 2023 |
| Director / Writer | Sandeep Reddy Vanga |
| Language | Hindi (dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam) |
| Genre | Action, crime, drama |
| Runtime | Approx. 201 minutes (theatrical) |
| Lead actors | Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Tripti Dimri |
Animal is an A-rated (adults only) film with intense violence. If you are researching it for family viewing, note the certificate and content warnings before watching.
Rashmika Mandanna's Role: Who Is Geetanjali?
In the Animal film, Rashmika Mandanna plays Geetanjali, Ranvijay Singh's college sweetheart and later wife. Her character arc runs parallel to Ranvijay's descent into obsession and violence, and she provides the film's most grounded emotional perspective — questioning his choices, confronting his behavior, and ultimately deciding what she will and will not accept in her marriage.
Key scenes featuring Rashmika include the college-courtship sequences, the wedding and early marriage timeline, and the confrontations in the film's later acts where Geetanjali challenges Ranvijay directly. Critics were split on the writing of her character, but her pairing with Ranbir Kapoor and her performance in the emotional confrontation scenes were widely discussed after release.
Character: Geetanjali
- Wife of Ranvijay Singh
- Emotional counterweight to the lead
- Arc spans decades of the story
Performance Highlights
- College romance sequences
- Marriage and family scenes
- Late-film confrontation scenes
Career Context
- Rashmika's major Hindi-film lead role
- Followed Telugu hits like Pushpa
- Expanded her pan-India audience
Rashmika filmed significant portions of Animal while balancing big Telugu projects, making Geetanjali one of the most visible roles in her multi-language career.
Cast and Characters Breakdown
Animal's ensemble is built around a fractured family and the enemies that surround it. Understanding who plays whom helps make sense of the film's sprawling timeline.
| Actor | Character | Role in Story |
|---|---|---|
| Ranbir Kapoor | Ranvijay Singh | Protagonist; son obsessed with his father's approval |
| Rashmika Mandanna | Geetanjali | Ranvijay's wife; moral questioning voice |
| Anil Kapoor | Balbir Singh | Ranvijay's distant, work-absorbed father |
| Bobby Deol | Abrar Haque | Primary antagonist; mostly silent, brutal presence |
| Tripti Dimri | Zoya | Woman entangled with Ranvijay later in the film |
| Charu Shankar | Jyoti Singh | Ranvijay's mother |
The table above reveals character relationships but avoids plot twists. If you want a completely blind viewing, skip detailed plot summaries until after you watch.
Box Office, Reception & Soundtrack
The Animal film was a commercial phenomenon. It set opening-day records for a Hindi film in 2023 and crossed the 900-crore mark worldwide, ranking among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time at the time of release.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Worldwide gross | Over 900 crore (approx.) |
| Opening day (Hindi) | Among 2023's highest for Hindi films |
| Critical reception | Polarized; praised performances, criticized violence and writing |
| Soundtrack standout | "Arjan Vailly," "Pehle Bhi Main," "Jamal Kudu" |
| Extended cut | A longer streaming edition was later released |
Animal proved there is a massive audience for adult-rated, director-driven Indian action drama — and it solidified Rashmika Mandanna's standing as a pan-India box office draw.
How to Watch: Step-by-Step Viewing Guide
Check Regional Streaming Availability
Search your local streaming platforms for Animal. Availability differs by country and platform lineup, and editions (theatrical vs. extended cut) vary between regions.
Choose Your Edition
Decide between the theatrical cut and the extended edition. The extended cut adds runtime and additional scenes that flesh out character backstories.
Select Your Language Track
Animal streams with multiple audio options, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil dubs. Pick the track matching your preference.
Set Expectations
This is a long (3+ hours), A-rated film with heavy violence and mature themes. Plan an uninterrupted block of time and verify content ratings for your household.
Explore Bonus Content Afterward
After watching, look up interviews with Rashmika Mandanna and Ranbir Kapoor discussing their roles, plus the widely shared soundtrack videos.
Before You Watch Animal:
- Confirm streaming or rental availability in your region
- Choose theatrical cut or extended edition
- Verify the adults-only content rating fits your audience
- Block out a 3+ hour viewing window
- Add the soundtrack playlist for after viewing
Streaming rights rotate between platforms and regions. Always confirm current availability on your regional services rather than relying on older articles.
FAQ
Q: Who does Rashmika Mandanna play in the Animal film?
Rashmika Mandanna plays Geetanjali, the wife of Ranbir Kapoor's character Ranvijay Singh. Her character serves as the emotional core of the story, questioning Ranvijay's violent path and his obsession with his father.
Q: Is Animal connected to the Animal film universe or getting a sequel?
A sequel titled Animal Park was announced in the film's ending and teased by the director, but always verify production updates through official studio announcements before assuming release details.
Q: How violent is the Animal film?
Animal carries an adults-only (A) certificate in India with graphic violence, blood, and mature themes. It is not suitable for family viewing with children.
Q: Was Rashmika Mandanna's performance in Animal well received?
Reception was mixed to positive. Her chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor and her late-film confrontation scenes drew praise, while some critics felt the writing limited her character's depth.