Bobby Deol’s recent portrayal in the film “Animal,” alongside Ranbir Kapoor, has garnered enthusiastic reviews from film aficionados. The character played by Abrar Haque in the movie has evoked strong reactions, with audiences either loving or hating it. The intense violence and mistreatment of women depicted in the character have made it impossible for viewers to overlook. In a recent roundtable discussion about the role, Bobby Deol openly admitted feeling repulsed and disgusted when initially approached to play Abrar.
Reflecting on the initial days of shooting for the blockbuster directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Bobby shared his initial discomfort during a roundtable on Film Companion. He confessed to feeling “disgusted” about portraying the role in the early stages of filming.
Bobby elaborated on his internal struggle, stating, “Yes, when I first started aiming for it, I used to feel terrible about myself. But then I realized that I was acting out a role. Why do I feel so bad and hateful? Then, whoever I did in those scenes, I was sitting and having dinner with them afterwards. Everything is regular,” he explained.
This revelation was corroborated by other actors present at the roundtable. Vikrant Massey, who co-starred with Bobby in the romantic thriller “Love Hostel,” described Bobby’s on-screen presence in “Animal” as genuinely frightening. Despite portraying a character involved in extreme violence, Bobby’s off-screen persona remained amiable. Massey shared an anecdote of having dinner with Bobby after filming intense scenes, where they engaged in casual conversation about farming.
Siddharth, another actor at the roundtable, emphasized that Bobby’s recent on-screen roles are indicative of his versatility as an actor, visible to anyone who has even briefly interacted with him. He affectionately referred to Bobby as “my gorgeous Bob.”
Jaideep Ahlawat drew a comparison between Bobby, his father Dharmendra, and older brother Sunny Deol. Noting that both Dharmendra and Sunny have acted in violent films, Ahlawat pointed out the stark contrast in their real-life relationships. Additionally, Kareena Kapoor, Bobby’s co-star in the 2001 action thriller “Ajnabee,” praised Bobby’s character, affirming that he didn’t possess a single bad bone in his body.
In “Animal,” Bobby Deol portrays Abrar, a character involved in heinous acts such as sexual abuse of women and killing men. The film, also featuring Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Ranbir Kapoor, has surpassed Rs. 800 crores at the worldwide box office. Bobby expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, acknowledging the film’s unexpected success and its record-breaking streak. The positive response to his performance has been deeply moving for the actor, who never anticipated the film’s tremendous impact.