“There are a few emotions that are very easy to provoke the audience with. Violence is one of them, and sex is another.”
Among the many aspects of the film that sparked debate, its graphic violence became a major talking point online. However, Animal was far from the only film to face criticism over its portrayal of violence. Over the past five years, several blockbusters across film industries have been called out on social media for not just depicting extreme violence but also seemingly glorifying it on the big screen. The debate is not limited to Hindi cinema. “As children are not able to differentiate between fiction and reality, it is difficult for them to understand the consequences of violent content on screen. At times, they try to imitate superheroes by fighting, kicking, boxing, killing and performing many other such acts. They also admire the way superheroes are rewarded for their violent actions. “From a brain science point of view, children learn a lot by watching and copying what others do. If they see violence used to solve problems or gain control, they might start to think that aggression is a way to act. Repeated exposure can also make kids less sensitive to people’s pain and suffering. Graphic visuals can expose them to disturbing material even when they are not actively looking for it. Repeated exposure to such content can increase anxiety and create an exaggerated perception that the world is unsafe.”
This observation by Aamir Khan in an old interview resurfaced on social media when Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal was released in 2023. The Dhurandhar duology, which emerged as the highest-grossing Indian films of 2025 and 2026, is among the latest and biggest examples. When Rajinikanth’s Jailer was released in 2023, its graphic sequences, including scenes involving torture and acid, drew criticism from some viewers. Similarly, Allu Arjun’s blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule, the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024, drew criticism for its graphic climax sequences, with some viewers finding the brutality on screen hard to digest.
Though not every child behaves this way, repeated exposure to similar violent content can gradually lead children to absorb such behaviour into their everyday lives,” he said. They may become emotionally numb over time,” he said. She said, “Children today have easy access to short videos.
Veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar had questioned the growing appetite for violent cinema. Similarly, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, actor Radhika Apte also spoke about how the portrayal of violence as a source of entertainment deeply disturbed her. Expressing concern about the kind of content children are exposed to. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma and singer-composer Amaal Mallik also came out in support of Sandeep, arguing that cinema alone cannot be held accountable for an individual’s actions.
Speaking at the Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival in January 2024, he described the violence in some contemporary films as “meaningless violence” and suggested that it reflected a certain frustration among audiences.
