Oh, the irony... Ranbir Kapoor's fierce and violent avatar in 'Animal' stirred such a storm on the big screen that now every ultra-violent person is being labeled an animal. On the other hand, real animals are the stress-busters people flock to for solace and love.
Despite Ranbir's on-screen animalistic portrayal possibly not sitting well with everyone, audiences adore animal tales in films. Bollywood has seen numerous films where animals played the lead. However, over the past few years, while the craze for actors transforming into 'animals' in action films soared, the occurrence of real animals as heroes dwindled on screen.
'Entertainment' by a Dog 10 Years Ago
In 2014, Akshay Kumar's film 'Entertainment' might have been the last Bollywood venture where an animal led the story. Akshay's character, in search of wealth, discovers that his real father, a wealthy man, has recently passed, leaving everything to a dog named Entertainment.
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Initially planning to eliminate the dog, a twist saves Akshay's character, leading to a comedic drama typical of Akshay Kumar’s style.
A Cinematic History of Animal Heroes
In 'Haathi Mere Saathi' (1971), Rajesh Khanna, running a zoo, faces a heart-wrenching choice between his family and his beloved pet elephant, an actor adored by audiences for its touching tricks. Jaya Bachchan's bond with her cow in 'Gai Aur Gori' was equally moving, making the cow a key character. 1976's 'Nagin' introduced the fiery tale of a shape-shifting snake seeking revenge, creating a fan following that led to continued productions around these mythical creatures.
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Films like Jackie Shroff’s 'Teri Meherbaniyan' (1985) became iconic, showcasing a dog seeking revenge for his master's murder, tugging at the audience's hearts. Other films featured animals adding emotional twists like the pigeon in 'Maine Pyar Kiya' (1989) and the dog in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' (1994) that remain unforgettable. The monkey in 'Aankhen' (1993) delivered riotous comedy with Govinda and Chunky Pandey. Yet, stories where animals were central characters dwindled.
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The 2011 film 'Chillar Party' featured a dog as the lead character, with kids rallying for the destitute boy and his pet dog, resulting in an election bid within their society. Following it, 'Entertainment' (2014) again placed animals center stage.
Social media and real-life observations reveal a growing affinity for animals over recent years. However, films with animal themes have surprisingly reduced. Kannada filmmaker Rakshit Shetty deserves mention for '777 Charlie', where a delightful dog plays the hero, applauded as one of the best animal-centric films of this era.
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A New Animal Film in a Decade
A decade later, Bollywood brings forth a film where a quadruped animal is the protagonist. The new year sees newcomers, Ajay Devgn's nephew Aaman Devgn and Raveena Tandon's daughter Rasha Thadani debuting in 'Azaad'. Here, the family hero is a horse, loyal and gallant.
Ajay Devgn makes a guest appearance in 'Azaad', whose teaser recently stirred up excitement. Set to release on January 17, this film will reveal if this animal-centric narrative captivates audiences after a decade.
