EXCLUSIVE: Upendra Limaye of Animal fame says, “Sandeep Reddy Vanga is one of the most interesting directors I have worked with”

Upendra Limaye shines in a cameo in Ranbir Kapoor starrer Animal.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

December 8, 2023 - 6:56 PM IST

Marathi actor Upendra Limaye has succeeded in winning hearts through just a guest appearance in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. His character Freddy arrives just before the interval to supply the huge machine gun. This is then followed by the crazy war sequence.

EXCLUSIVE: Upendra Limaye of Animal fame says, “Sandeep Reddy Vanga is one of the most interesting directors I have worked with”

During an exclusive video interview with Bollywood Hungama, Upendra was asked how he trusted Vanga, considering how such cameos can sometimes not find a place in the final print. Upendra said, “That was Sandeep’s conviction power, going by how he had narrated the whole thing to me. When a director visualises something and then narrates it to you, then a sensible actor realizes what is the gravity of the scene and importance. And the scene comes at the perfect time when the interval arrives. It’s a high voltage action drama. He had also decided that the scene will have Ajay-Atul composed songs. So, his objectives were very clear.”

When it was pointed out to Upendra that nobody else could have played that role, he said, “Nothing like that. It was destined. There are so many good actors. I feel I am very lucky that I got this opportunity. The whole process itself was very interesting.”

Sharing the importance of his character, Upendra added, “Normally, his (his character’s) men carry out the delivery. But going by the brief given (for the huge machine gun), the character wanted to know who that guy is. So, Freddy arrives there just to meet him. There was to be no-nonsense (in the scene). He is a guy with a Marathi background. I was told to show his attitude and everything in Marathi. It was all improvised. I was given a complete free hand.”

Upendra also revealed that he had also given his own inputs in the scene. Explaining the scene, he added, “Freddy was waiting. A lot of sardars arrive with turbans. So, I ask them, ‘Tum logon ke Punjab 11 ka captain kaun hai?’I had gone there with a lot of improvisations. Sandeep selected which ones he wants and which ones he doesn’t. Ultimately, it was his final call. He is the captain of the ship. As an actor I only look at the scene. But the director looks at how the scene will look in the entire film.”

The actor is all praise for the filmmaker. “Sandeep Reddy Vanga is one of the most interesting directors I have worked with. Bohat maza aaya,” said Upendra.

Animal mainly stars Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Bobby Deol.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Upendra Limaye had earlier refused Animal, “I said I don’t do just one scene”