Bobby Deol reveals how Sandeep Reddy Vanga convinced him to play villain in Animal; shares dad Dharmendra's reaction

Bobby Deol, Dharmendra and Sandeep Reddy Vanga (Pics via Instagram)

Bobby Deol recently opened up about how filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga approached him for the blockbuster film Animal and revealed his father Dharmendra's amusing reaction after learning about his role on Shehkar Suman's show Shekhar Tonite. The actor shared that Vanga personally reached out to him with the idea of playing the antagonist, a character that eventually became one of the most talked-about performances in the film despite limited screen time.

Bobby Deol recalls how Sandeep Reddy Vanga cast him for Animal

Speaking about the casting process, Bobby revealed that Sandeep Reddy Vanga had a very clear vision for the character from the beginning. The director reportedly wanted someone physically powerful and intense enough to stand opposite Ranbir Kapoor in the film's explosive climax. Bobby said the filmmaker narrated the story to him with great passion, and he instantly connected with the role of Abrar Haque, the silent but menacing villain in the action drama.

The actor admitted that saying yes to the project turned out to be a major turning point in his career. Although Bobby appeared only briefly in the second half of the film, his intense screen presence, action scenes, and viral entry sequence left a huge impact on audiences. Fans especially praised the actor for portraying a terrifying character without relying heavily on dialogues, as Abrar was shown as mute in the film.

Bobby Deol recalls father Dharmendra's reaction to playing Abrar

Bobby also recalled how his father Dharmendra reacted after hearing about the role. The veteran actor reportedly asked him, "Are you the villain?" in a surprised but curious tone. Bobby shared the anecdote fondly and explained that his father was excited to see him take on such a dark and unconventional character.

The role of Abrar significantly boosted Bobby's popularity and gave rise to the "Lord Bobby" trend on social media. Despite having limited screen time, audiences appreciated his performance so much that many viewers wished the actor had more scenes in the film. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga later explained that he intentionally delayed the villain's entry to build anticipation and avoid a routine introduction.

Released in 2023, Animal became one of the year's biggest box-office successes while also generating debates around violence and toxic masculinity. Alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Bobby Deol, the film featured Rashmika Mandanna, Anil Kapoor and Triptii Dimri in key roles.