Bollywood hunk Ranbir Kapoor has once again been in the spotlight after the release of the first trailer for his upcoming film, Animal, on June 11. Similarities between the teaser and the critically acclaimed Pakistani film The Legend of Maula Jatt (TLOMJ) have piqued the interest of viewers.
In the trailer, Ranbir undergoes a metamorphosis reminiscent of Fawad’s in Maula Jatt, suggesting a novel mashup of genres. Ranbir appears to have faithfully replicated Maula’s appearance. Down to the distinctive dhoti or laacha attire, the long hair, and the obvious scars. While on his murderous rampage, he even pulls out an axe. Animal’s poster, which features Fawad and Hamza Ali Abbasi, is remarkably similar to the poster for The Legend of Maula Jatt.
The preview hints at yet another fascinating source of inspiration: the squid game. The South Korean drama’s riveting plot revolved around daring life-or-death games, and it became an international phenomenon. The animal looks like it will be an original cinematic experience thanks to its combination of features from The Legend of Maula Jatt and Squid Game.
Pakistanis on Twitter, however, are either laughing uncontrollably or taking offense at the supposed rip-offs.
“I just caught the Animal teaser starring Ranbir Kapoor. A Twitter user questioned, “Why does it remind me of Maula Jatt?” Somebody else made a joke about the animal. Using a sobbing face emoji to express their opinion that it resembled Maula Jatt from the Walmart version. Further, the “Animal Teaser” is a copy of the Pakistani movie “The Legend of Maula Jatt Teaser,” as stated. A resounding “Ranbir Kapoor’s movie looks like a version of Pakistan’s The Legend of Maula Jatt” echoed over the internet.
One internet user questioned, “Is it a stretch to say Ranbir’s look in Animal’s teaser looks exactly like Fawad’s in Maula Jatt. Especially the gandasa?” When one Indian user dismissed the resemblance with the comment, “I bet the director would not even know about the legend of Maula Jatt,” another Pakistani user chimed in with, “Oh really? Even Ranbir gushed over Maula Jatt. And when it comes to the United Kingdom, TLOMJ has earned more than any Ranbir Kapoor picture, making it the highest-grossing Punjabi film ever.
In 2019, Bilal Lashari’s film The Legend of Maula Jatt swept the Pakistani box office. Fawad gave a commanding performance as the film’s protagonist, and the picture successfully combined action, drama, and romance. In addition to its success in Pakistan, The Legend of Maula Jatt was lauded around the world for its innovative storytelling.
Ranbir, on the other hand, is known for his ability to play a wide variety of parts. And he has never shied away from taking risks with his casting. He’s already established himself as a reliable actor by portraying damaged musicians in Rockstar and charming rogues in Tamasha. His portrayal of a ruthless killer in Animal seems to be yet another risk he took in his pursuit of making a mark with his acting. The part is perfect for Ranbir, who is sure to bring his own brand of passion and charisma to it.
