Not Rashmika, but this actress was first choice for Animal

The film "Animal," led by Ranbir Kapoor, has garnered significant attention. It was released on December 1 with much anticipation due to its captivating storyline and the intriguing characters played by a stellar cast. Initially, Parineeti Chopra was cast in the film, but she was later replaced by Rashmika Mandanna. Earlier reports suggested that Parineeti left the project to work on Imtiaz Ali’s "Chamkila," but a viral Reddit post suggested otherwise.

In an interview Sandeep Reddy revealed the reason. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga said that he found Parineeti unsuitable for the role and opted to replace her. He said that Geethanjali character is someone who understands the protagonist more than his parents. He also said that the character is different and very important who will be throughout the film.

While Parineeti was disappointed, the focus remained on the role rather than the actress. Several media outlets supported this claim.

The project was initially announced in January 2021 with Parineeti in the cast list. However, a year later, it was reported that she exited the film to collaborate with Diljit Dosanjh on Imtiaz Ali’s "Chamkila." Bollywood Hungama quoted a source stating, "She has to immediately start preparations for the shoot (of Chamkila), causing an unfortunate overlap in schedules, preventing her from working on 'Animal.'"

After Rashmika Mandanna was announced as the new lead, Parineeti commented to India Today, acknowledging that such decisions are part of life and one must choose what's best for them.

Despite mixed audience reactions to Rashmika's glimpses in the film's trailer and some struggling to understand her dialogues, the movie is receiving an excellent response. Alongside Ranbir and Rashmika, the film features Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Tripti Dimri in pivotal roles.

-by Vishnupriya