Nagarjuna Akkineni’s cult classic Shiva is set to re-release in theaters on November 14, 2025, completing 36 years of its original release. As part of the promotions, the King actor was seen interacting with Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) and Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
During the conversation, RGV revealed SS Rajamouli’s reaction towards director Sandeep Reddy Vanga after watching Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal.
Ram Gopal Varma tells how SS Rajamouli reacted to Animal
Speaking with Nagarjuna and Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Ram Gopal Varma said, “After the release of Animal, SS Rajamouli called me and said, ‘I had earlier compared Sandeep Reddy Vanga with you. I take back my words, he is Ram Gopal Varma’s father.'”
RGV admitted that he was previously unaware of the comparisons between himself and Sandeep, but suggested that the Animal director had definitely earned it. He said that Vanga is distinctive in his approach and the way he challenges traditional cinema in both characterization and visual concept.
While praising Sandeep as a filmmaker, RGV also openly criticized Animal for its portrayal of father-son relationships. He further commented that the infamous scene asking Zoya (Tripti Dimri) to lick the hero’s shoe was “incongruous”.
More information about the animal
Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role, is an action drama that tells the story of Ranvijay Singh, who shares a strained relationship with his industrialist father Balbir Singh.
After spending years abroad, Rannvijay returns home to take revenge on those who attempted to murder his father, resulting in a violent and bloody conflict.
Co-written and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film stars Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna, Trupti Dimri and many others in lead roles. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film was a huge box-office success.
A sequel titled Animal Park is currently in the works and was teased in a post-credits scene of the original film.
SS Rajamouli’s next film
SS Rajamouli is preparing to reveal the title of his upcoming film, tentatively titled SSMB29, with a grand launch event on November 15, 2025. The globe-trotting jungle adventure stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles.
Also read: 7 South films releasing in theaters this week (November 10-November 16): From Dulquer Salmaan’s Kantha to comedy drama Aathi Bhikara Kamukan