Ranbir Kapoor’s striking appearance in Animal, marked by long hair and a rugged beard, has become one of the most memorable transformations in recent Bollywood films. However, this now-famous look wasn’t an easy decision in the beginning. Celebrity hairstylist Aalim Hakim revealed that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga initially had second thoughts about it.
Aalim Hakim explained in an interview that while developing the character’s look, Sandeep Reddy Vanga was worried Ranbir Kapoor’s long hair resembled his appearance in Sanju, the biopic based on Sanjay Dutt. The director felt it might be too similar. But Aalim Hakim insisted the complete look, once fully styled, would give Ranbir a fresh and unique screen presence. Eventually, he convinced Sandeep Reddy Vanga and the final result became an essential part of the character’s impact. Aalim Hakim believes that without the long hair and beard, the role wouldn’t have made the same impression on audiences.
Released in 2023, Animal is an intense action-drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Ranbir Kapoor plays Ranvijay, a complex man dealing with emotional trauma and a fractured relationship with his father. The film struck a chord with viewers through its gripping story, high-octane action and Ranbir’s powerful performance. The movie also features Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol in key roles and was a major success at the box office.
Ranbir had a busy year in 2023 with two back-to-back releases — Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar and Animal. He is now working on Love & War, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Ramayana which is being directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga is gearing up for his next film Spirit, a cop drama starring Prabhas. The production is expected to start this year. Initially, Deepika Padukone was signed on as the female lead but she exited the project, reportedly due to issues around compensation and scheduling conflicts. Following her departure, Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted a cryptic message on social media, accusing an unnamed person of playing “dirty PR games” and allegedly leaking parts of the script. Though he didn’t mention her directly, the post seemed to be aimed at Deepika. Later, actress Triptii Dimri was confirmed to join the cast.
What started as a style debate behind the scenes eventually helped define Animal’s raw energy and gave Ranbir Kapoor one of the most iconic looks of his career.
