Sandeep Reddy Vanga hits back at critics linking Animal to Andhra attack
The director accused those blaming cinema for the chainsaw attack on a schoolgirl of using the tragedy to settle personal scores.
Film director Sandeep Reddy Vanga responded on Wednesday to critics who compared his movie Animal to a recent chainsaw attack at an Andhra Pradesh school. According to WION, Vanga addressed the controversy on X after social media users drew parallels between the film and the incident involving a Class 10 student.
The attack occurred on October 31 at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district, where a 21-year-old man named Hemanth allegedly used a mechanical chainsaw on a student. India Today reported that the accused targeted the girl after she rejected his romantic proposal, also injuring another student who tried to intervene.
Vanga stated that instead of using films as a scapegoat, people should focus on understanding the root causes of such crimes through empathy. He alleged that certain individuals were using the horrific event as a way to pursue personal vendettas rather than showing genuine concern for the victims.
The director also criticised actors, producers, and directors whom he described as frustrated individuals acting as social reformers to attack his work. He concluded that tragedies require empathy rather than opportunism.
The controversy follows comments by YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who suggested that films like Animal and Dhurandhar provide templates for criminals. While some social media users blamed cinematic violence for influencing people, others argued that fictional stories should not be held responsible for real-life crimes.