Hyderabad, India: Riding the wave of his latest release "Animal," director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has set his sights on a dream collaboration with Bollywood royalty, Shah Rukh Khan. In a recent interview, Vanga not only expressed his desire to work with the superstar but also revealed that Khan gave a thumbs-up to the film's teaser, despite its controversial themes.
While "Animal," starring Ranbir Kapoor, has come under fire for its portrayal of violence and misogyny, Vanga seems unfazed. When asked about his wishlist of collaborators in the Hindi film industry, he promptly named Shah Rukh Khan, alongside Ranveer Singh. "I definitely want to work with Shah Rukh sir," he declared, adding, "Every hero has some story brewing within me."
However, the director clarified that he hasn't formally pitched any ideas to Khan yet. "No, I haven't spoken to him about this," he admitted, "but I have met him." Interestingly, their encounter involved the "Animal" teaser itself. "We didn't talk about my films," Vanga explained, "but he saw the teaser and liked it. I showed it to him at the office during Ganpati celebrations."
This revelation sparked online speculation, especially considering Shah Rukh Khan's recent comments about social responsibility and portraying negative characters. Khan, known for his optimistic roles, stated that if he takes on a villainous role, the character will inevitably face consequences. Some internet users saw this as a veiled reference to "Animal," further fueling the collaboration rumors.
However, Khan himself clarified his stance, emphasizing his preference for positive narratives. "I am a storyteller who believes in hope and happy endings," he declared. "My heroes do good, inspire hope, and bring joy. If I play a bad guy, he suffers, dies a terrible death, because I believe in karma. Badness deserves punishment, and I want my roles to empower people to dream."
Whether Sandeep Reddy Vanga's dream collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan materializes remains to be seen. However, the director's candid revelation and Khan's intriguing comments have certainly stirred the pot in the Indian film industry, leaving fans eagerly awaiting future developments.
