Javed Akhtar Responded To Sandeep Vanga's Retort

Popular screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has addressed the recent controversy surrounding filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga's reaction to Javed's subtle remark of his latest directorial venture 'Animal' featuring Ranbir Kapoor. 

Javed clarified that while Sandeep has every right to produce multiple 'Animals' it remains a fact that Sandeep couldn't find any flaws in Javed's extensive 53-year-long career in filmmaking.

"I wasn't criticizing the filmmaker in any way. In a democratic society, he has the freedom to create one Animal or many Animals. My concern was for the audience, not the filmmaker. He has the liberty to make any film," stated Javed Akhtar.

The controversy sparked when Javed expressed his views at an event regarding a scene in Animal where Ranbir and Triptii Dimri's characters engage in a shoe-licking act. 

Javed remarked, "I believe it’s a crucial moment for young filmmakers today to consider what kind of characters they wish to depict that society will appreciate. For instance if a film portrays a man asking a woman to lick his shoe or if it normalizes violence against women and if such a film achieves tremendous success, then it's deeply concerning."

Responding to Javed's remarks about his film, Sandeep Vanga addressed the issue in an interview, questioning why Javed hadn't raised similar concerns about his son Farhan Akhtar's production 'Mirzapur'.

Sandeep pointed out the widespread profanity in the series particularly when translated into Telugu, suggesting it was equally objectionable.

He mentioned, "...if you watch that in Telugu, then you will feel like puking". He also questioned why Javed hadn't corrected his son's work.

To this freshly Javed Akhtar responded, "..In 53 years of my career, he could not find one film, one script, one scene, one dialogue, one song. So he had to go to my son's office and find a TV serial, which is neither acted, directed or written by Farhan. His company has produced it..."

On the work front Sandeep's upcoming projects include Spirit and Animal Park.