The actor, whose silent antagonist Abrar Haque became a social media phenomenon, insists his 15-minute impact was only possible because of Ranbir Kapoor’s powerful three-hour performance as the protagonist.
Bollywood star Bobby Deol has humbly responded to a persistent sentiment among fans that his performance as the menacing, silent antagonist Abrar Haque in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 2023 blockbuster Animal overshadowed the leading man, Ranbir Kapoor.
Animal, which was a massive commercial hit despite facing criticism for its themes of misogyny and violence, showcased a fiercely intense side of Ranbir Kapoor. However, it was also widely hailed as the comeback vehicle that crowned Bobby Deol with the title “Lord Bobby.”
Bobby Deol Credits Ranbir Kapoor’s Three-Hour Performance
Bobby Deol’s character, Abrar Haque, captured immense fan attention, particularly for his smashing entry sequence set to the song “Jamal Kudu,” all achieved without a single line of dialogue. When questioned about the comparisons and the idea that his 15-minute screen time outshone Kapoor’s lengthy portrayal, Deol was quick to push back against the notion.
In a recent interview with Filmygyan, the actor stated, dispelling the competitive narrative: “Aisa kuchh nahi hai. Agar Ranbir ko 3 ghante sambhaalne the, mujhe sirf 15 minute sambhaalne the. Agar Ranbir woh 3 ghante nahi sambhaal paata toh mere 15 minute ka koi value nahi hota,” which translates to: “It’s nothing like that. If Ranbir had to handle three hours, I only had to handle fifteen minutes. If Ranbir couldn’t manage those three hours, then my fifteen minutes would have no value.”
The Protagonist is Key to the Antagonist’s Impact
The actor further elaborated on why his character resonated so strongly with the audience, emphasizing that his success was directly dependent on the strength of the protagonist’s performance.
“The impact happened because of Ranbir’s character, the way Ranbir performed it… if he hadn’t done it properly, then my entry would have been meaningless,” Deol explained.
He concluded by stressing the importance of the dynamic between the hero and the villain in action dramas: “I was lucky that Sandeep… See, an action film, a drama, only works when you have a strong antagonist and a strong protagonist, and they both have to really work towards winning. It can’t be that you know from the start that the hero will win. Then there is no fun, the audience doesn’t enjoy it either.”
While Bobby Deol’s character met his end in the original film, Ranbir Kapoor is set to reprise his role in the highly anticipated sequel, titled Animal Park. Kapoor confirmed on his birthday this year that filming for the sequel is scheduled to begin in 2027.