nimal is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language action drama film[1][5] co-written, directed and edited by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and produced by T-Series Films, Bhadrakali Pictures and Cine1 Studios. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimri. The film follows Ranvijay, the ruthless son of a powerful industrialist, and his troubled relationship with his father, which gets further jeopardized as he sets out on a path of vengeance and destruction after an assassination attempt on his father.
The film was officially announced in January 2021. Principal photography began in April 2022 and wrapped by April 2023, with cinematography by Amit Roy. The film’s soundtrack album was composed by Pritam, JAM8, Vishal Mishra, Jaani, Manan Bhardwaj, Shreyas Puranik, Ashim Kemson and Harshavardhan Rameshwar. With a runtime of 201 minutes, Animal is one of the longest Indian films ever made. It was initially set for an August 2023 release but was postponed due to post-production work.[6]
Animal was theatrically released on 1 December 2023, in standard and IMAX formats. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its cast performances, songs, action sequences and technical aspects, but criticism for the film’s themes and graphic violence.[7][8][9] The film did extremely well commercially, both domestically and internationally. It grossed ₹917 crore (US$110 million) worldwide, making it the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film, the ninth highest-grossing Indian film, the highest-grossing A-rated Indian film,[10] and the highest-grossing film of Ranbir Kapoor’s career.[11][12]
At the 69th Filmfare Awards, the film received 19 nominations, including Best Film, and won a leading six awards, including Best Actor for Ranbir Kapoor.[13] A sequel titled Animal Park, announced in the post-credits scene, is in early development.
Plot
Ranvijay “Vijay” Singh is the son of Balbir Singh, a powerful Delhi-based industrialist. Vijay is an aggressive person. Despite Balbir being a strict father, Vijay’s love for his father is deep. Balbir doesn’t know about his son’s devotion to him due to his busy schedule, which also keeps him from spending time with his family.
One day, Balbir expels Vijay to a boarding school in the US when Vijay threatens the bullies of his elder sister Reet with an AK-47. Vijay finishes his education and returns home after several years. During Balbir’s birthday party, Vijay gets into an argument with his brother-in-law, Varun, prompting Balbir to expel him from the house again. Vijay marries his childhood girlfriend, Geetanjali, and the couple cuts ties with their families and moves to the US, where they have two children.
Eight years later, Vijay, Geetanjali and their two kids return to India upon learning that Balbir was the victim of an assassination attempt. After meeting his father, Vijay reconciles with his family and takes it upon himself to uncover the assassin’s identity. He rounds up his second cousins from the village for backup and recruits a body double for his father, who is eventually killed by a gangster named Asrar Haque. Vijay discovers Varun’s role in the assassination attempt and kills him publicly at a conference with his cousins, where Asrar is also present. Vijay and his cousins meet Freddy, an arms dealer, at a hotel. Asrar arrives with his assailants to kill Vijay. Vijay takes them all down with a machine gun and kills Asrar, but he gets severely wound