Months after the release of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, the film continues to generate debate, particularly around its portrayal of women and themes of toxic masculinity. Despite the criticism, actor Triptii Dimri, who played the character Zoya, remains a focal point of discussion for her performance. She recently shared her thoughts at the India Today Mumbai Conclave 2024, where she defended the film and reflected on the complexities of her character.
During a panel discussion, Dimri spoke about the challenges of taking on the role of Zoya, a character she described as both “brave and innocent.” She acknowledged the apprehension that often comes with tackling difficult characters but emphasized the importance of embracing these challenges.
“As an actor, it’s important to take on something that pushes you,” Dimri said. “Every time I get a role, I feel like it’s both scary and challenging. That’s exactly how I felt when Sandeep Sir explained Zoya’s character to me. She seemed both brave and innocent at the same time, and that excited me. I’m always looking for roles that offer something different.”
The film, Animal, which features Ranbir Kapoor as the lead character Rannvijay Singh, was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the past year. It follows Rannvijay’s quest for revenge after discovering an assassination attempt on his father, Balbir Singh, played by Anil Kapoor. While the film was a commercial success, it also faced backlash for its portrayal of women and its perceived endorsement of toxic masculinity.
Addressing these criticisms, Dimri remained firm in her belief that her portrayal of Zoya was authentic. “I would approach Zoya’s character exactly the same way I did,” she said. “As humans, we all have different shades—good, bad, and even ugly. I feel that films allow us to explore these sides. Acting lets us experience a wide range of emotions, and I consider actors lucky because we get to live through so many different experiences in one lifetime.”
Looking ahead, Dimri is set to star in Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video alongside Rajkummar Rao, as well as Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 with Kartik Aaryan, continuing to push boundaries in her acting career.
