Kareena Kapoor has never been one to hold back, and her latest comments prove exactly that. During a candid town hall interaction with youth platform Yuvaa, the 45-year-old actress took direct aim at what she calls the “herd mentality” of the Hindi film industry. Her prime example? The massive success of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s hyper-violent action drama Animal, which starred her cousin Ranbir Kapoor. Kareena pointed out that once a film like Animal works, the industry rushes to copy the same formula instead of trying something fresh. Her remarks have sparked conversations across film circles and social media, with many praising her for speaking plainly about a pattern that has frustrated audiences for years.
Kareena Kapoor Uses Animal as a Clear Example of Industry Trend-Chasing
The actress explained how filmmakers tend to chase whatever is working at the box office rather than backing original ideas. She specifically referenced Animal, which released in 2023 and became a huge commercial success, grossing over ₹900 crore worldwide. According to Kareena, the film’s success led many in the industry to believe that violence was the new guaranteed formula.
“Our audience is smarter than we think. They know exactly when it’s a good film and they want to watch it. So today it is not just about a young love story. All these things are very dated, ki abhi violence chal rahi hai ki abhi Animal chal gayi toh chalo sab violence kar lete hain. We are herd mentality, what to say?” Kareena said during the interaction.
The phrase “Animal chal gayi toh chalo sab violence kar lete hain” roughly translates to: “Animal worked, so let’s all start making violent films.” Kareena did not shy away from naming the trend directly.
Animal was directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and featured Ranbir Kapoor as Ranvijay Vijay Singh, a man dealing with a complicated and emotionally distant relationship with his father, played by Anil Kapoor. The film was known for its intense violence and raw storytelling. Its success paved the way for a sequel titled Animal Park, which is currently in development.
Actress Says Audiences Are Smarter Than Filmmakers Believe
Kareena made it clear that viewers today are not easily fooled. She believes audiences can tell the difference between a genuinely good film and one that simply follows a trend.
“The young audience will ask the thought-provoking questions. Now filmmakers cannot go and make a film saying it’s a comedy so people will definitely watch it! Not every film is going to make ₹200 crore or ₹500 crore. I feel like we are changing it and the audience is helping us,” she added.
She also acknowledged that some filmmakers do resist the urge to follow the herd. According to Kareena, these directors make films that challenge viewers and have built their own loyal fan bases.
“Then there are filmmakers who want to make something different, who provoke your thoughts and who have their own fan following. I feel like things are changing now. The audience will now watch the trailer and say that we want to watch this film,” she said.
Her comments come at a time when Hindi cinema is seeing a mix of big-budget spectacles and smaller, story-driven films. The Malayalam film industry, for instance, has earned praise for producing low-budget hits like Premalu and Manjummel Boys, which relied on strong writing rather than star power or violent spectacles.
Related:
Daayra Release Date and What Kareena Kapoor Is Working On Next
Kareena is currently preparing for the release of her upcoming investigative drama Daayra. The film is directed by Meghna Gulzar, who co-wrote it with Yash Keswani and Sima Agarwal. Daayra stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles, with the two playing police officers who find themselves on opposing sides while investigating a case connected to juvenile crime.
Daayra is inspired by true events and unfolds in the aftermath of a crime that grips the nation, sparking widespread outrage and setting two investigations in motion. The film is backed by Junglee Pictures and Dr. Jayantilal Gada’s Pen Studios, with Pen Marudhar handling distribution. It will release in theatres worldwide on September 18, 2026, in Hindi and Malayalam.
The film’s trailer was released on August 31, 2026, and has generated significant buzz online. Audiences can expect a gripping investigative narrative that explores how a single crime can fracture opinions across society.
Animal, the film Kareena referenced, continues to be a talking point in the industry. Its sequel, Animal Park, is one of the most discussed upcoming projects in Bollywood. Meanwhile, Kareena’s comments have added a new layer to the ongoing debate about originality versus imitation in Hindi cinema.
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