Sandeep Reddy Vanga and his most notable controversies

Sandeep Reddy Vanga has found himself facing the heat and multiple controversies for his bold storytelling and unapologetic approach to filmmaking. With just three films, 'Arjun Reddy', 'Kabir Singh', and 'Animal' to his name, Vanga has become one of India's most controversial directors. Here's a look at some of his most notable controversies:

Vanga's films have consistently been criticized for glorifying toxic male characters. In 'Arjun Reddy' and its Hindi remake 'Kabir Singh,' the titular characters are portrayed as obsessive lovers who resort to verbal abuse, physical violence, and controlling behavior toward women. These depictions sparked widespread debates about normalizing misogyny in cinema.

One of the most controversial moments came when Vanga defended a scene in 'Kabir Singh' where the protagonist slaps the female lead. He stated, "If you can't slap, touch, kiss, or cuss your woman, I don’t see any emotion there." This remark drew sharp criticism from audiences and feminists alike, who accused him of perpetuating harmful stereotypes about relationships

After facing backlash for 'Kabir Singh,' Vanga pushed boundaries further with 'Animal.'. The Ranbir Kapoor starrer was heavily criticized for its graphic violence and hyper-masculine themes. Vanga admitted during an interview with Gallata Plus that he deliberately amplified the brutality in response to earlier criticisms of his work. He even remarked that if he had known Ranbir Kapoor's proficiency in action sequences earlier, he would have made the film even more violent.

The film shows Ranbir's character as a cold-blooded avenger who takes justice into his own hands, often resorting to extreme measures like issuing death threats on live television. Such depictions have led to accusations that 'Animal' romanticizes hyper-aggressive behavior and male chauvinism.

In November 2023, Kiran Rao spoke about gender sensitization and criticized Bollywood's portrayal of women during a promotional event for her film 'Laapataa Ladies.'. It is suggested that she refer to 'Kabir Singh' and 'Baahubali' as examples. In an interview with Dainik

Bhaskar, he lashed out at her, questioning why she hadn't addressed Aamir Khan’s past work. He specifically referenced the 1990 film 'Dil,' which features problematic scenes and lyrics like "Khambe Jaisi Khadi Hai," where Khan’s character threatens Madhuri Dixit.