Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga appeared to take an indirect dig at YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and other critics who linked films such as Animal and Dhurandhar to the horrific chainsaw attack on a Class 10 student in Andhra Pradesh. Though he did not name anyone, Vanga's post is being seen as a response to those drawing parallels between the films and the incident.He argued that the "immediate response to such a crime should be empathy" and an attempt to understand the larger problem, rather than "finding a convenient scapegoat in cinema".He further alleged that some people were using the incident as an "excuse to settle personal scores", claiming that their concern was not for the victims or their families but an opportunity to target someone else's work.
Taking aim at actors, directors and producers, he accused them of suddenly appointing themselves as social reformers whenever an opportunity arose to criticise other filmmakers. He concluded that a "tragedy deserved empathy, not opportunism."Vanga's response comes amid growing criticism on social media, where several users blamed films such as Animal, Marco and Dhurandhar for normalising extreme violence and argued that such portrayals could influence impressionable minds.
What did Dhruv Rathee and others say about Animal and Dhurandhar?The controversy began after YouTuber Dhruv Rathee shared a report about the Andhra Pradesh school attack and took a swipe at films such as Animal and Dhurandhar. Suggesting that such films could provide inspiration to criminals, he wrote, "Special thanks to movies like Animal and Dhurandhar for giving templates to these criminals."His post triggered mixed reactions on social media.
While some users supported his criticism and questioned the portrayal of violence in mainstream cinema, others defended the filmmakers, arguing that fictional narratives should not be directly blamed for real-life crimes.The exchange also revived discussions about Rathee's earlier criticism of Animal and Dhurandhar. He had previously published videos explaining why he considered aspects of these films problematic.
His latest remarks echoed that position, this time in the context of a real-life crime.What happened in Andhra Pradesh?On October 31, 2026, a 21-year-old man entered a classroom at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, and attacked a Class 10 student with a mechanised chainsaw.The accused, identified as Hemanth, targeted the girl, Gopika, after she rejected his advances. She suffered severe injuries to her neck and abdomen, with her right hand nearly severed.
Another student was also injured while attempting to protect her. The incident triggered widespread outrage, with the motive behind the attack raising concerns about violence against women and girls.Vanga's response has once again brought the debate around cinematic violence and its influence on real-world behaviour into focus, with social media divided over whether filmmakers should be held accountable for the content they create.- Ends