The excitement surrounding the re-release of Ram Gopal Varma’s iconic 1989 film Shiva continues to grow. Promoted with the same grandeur as a new theatrical release, the film’s legacy has been reignited through special features and conversations featuring major figures from Indian cinema.
Following the release of the documentary The Punch of Shiva, which included heartfelt tributes from top filmmakers and actors, fans were treated to an intriguing conversation between Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, legendary actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, and RGV himself – and it came with a surprising revelation about Ranbir Kapoor.
Ranbir Kapoor was more excited for Animal while shooting Brahmastra, reveals Nagarjuna
In the now-viral clip from the discussion, Nagarjuna shared how deeply passionate Ranbir Kapoor was about Animal, even before he began filming it. When Ram Gopal Varma asked Sandeep Reddy Vanga if the actors ever had doubts before signing the film, Sandeep replied, “Ranbir never had a doubt.” At that moment, Nagarjuna jumped in to reveal an interesting behind-the-scenes detail, “That time I was doing Brahmastra with him and he was only talking about Animal that he was going to start. That time, he had not started Animal.”
The actor reveals that Ranbir showed him a kissing scene from Arjun Reddy. “He was pulling out Arjun Reddy. He was not pulling out the Hindi version, but the Telugu version. He was showing some scenes. I remember one sequence where Vijay is kissing a girl. And he was showing me how real it is. He was very, very excited to start that film”, recalled Nagarjuna.
This revelation adds a fascinating perspective to Ranbir Kapoor’s journey into Animal, one of the biggest blockbusters of 2023. The film, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, showcased Ranbir in a raw, intense avatar that fans had never seen before. Known for its emotional depth, brutal action, and complex father-son dynamic, Animal became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over Rs 900 crore worldwide and earning Ranbir widespread acclaim for his fearless performance.
RGV talks about Shiva
Meanwhile, as Shiva gears up for its 4K Dolby Atmos re-release, director Ram Gopal Varma revealed that the film drew inspiration from Bruce Lee’s Return of the Dragon. Starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, Amala Akkineni, Raghuvaran, and Tanikella Bharani, the 1989 classic revolutionised Telugu cinema with its raw sound design, handheld camerawork, and Ilaiyaraaja’s pulsating score.
On the other hand, Sandeep Reddy Vanga is currently busy with his next directorial, Spirit, starring Prabhas in the lead. The film also features Triptii Dimri, Kanchana, and Prakash Raj, with Prabhas set to play a fierce, no-nonsense cop, promising yet another cinematic storm from the visionary filmmaker.