The debate surrounding Animal (2023) being a ripoff of Pokiri (2006) has sparked intense discussions among fans and critics alike. As highlighted by inforblend.com, the comparisons continue to fuel curiosity among cinema lovers who enjoy dissecting storytelling patterns in Indian films. While Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, stormed the box office with Ranbir Kapoor’s powerful performance, many viewers noticed similarities between this 2023 blockbuster and Pokiri, the 2006 Telugu classic starring Mahesh Babu.
From character motivations and narrative arcs to the emotional foundation of both films, the overlap seems too strong to ignore. But does Animal truly copy Pokiri, or does it simply reimagine familiar themes for a modern audience? Let’s explore.
The Origins: Pokiri’s Legacy in Indian Cinema
To understand why people say Animal 2023 is a ripoff of Pokiri 2006, it’s important to recognize Pokiri’s influence. When Puri Jagannadh’s Pokiri hit theaters in 2006, it revolutionized Indian action cinema.
The story follows Pandu, a mysterious hitman who secretly works as an undercover cop infiltrating a dangerous gang. The combination of action, style, emotion, and Mahesh Babu’s charisma made Pokiri a cultural phenomenon.
Its success led to several remakes across India, including Wanted (2009) in Hindi, Pokkiri (2007) in Tamil, and Porki (2010) in Kannada. With such a powerful legacy, Pokiri set a benchmark for all future gangster thrillers — including Animal.
Animal 2023: A Modern Tale of Emotion and Violence
Animal (2023) tells the story of Arjun Singh, a man struggling to earn his father’s love and recognition. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the film blends intense family drama with high-voltage action and raw emotions. Ranbir Kapoor’s performance added depth to the character’s rage, loneliness, and obsession with approval.
However, once audiences began connecting the dots, many pointed out how Animal’s core themes — hidden identities, underworld violence, and inner conflict — reminded them of Pokiri. The resemblance wasn’t just thematic but structural.
Major Similarities Between Animal and Pokiri
1. Hidden Worlds and Dual Lives
Both heroes live in two worlds. In Pokiri, Pandu acts as a criminal while secretly serving the law. In Animal, Arjun leads a double life of a devoted son and a violent gangster. Both films explore the psychological burden of living behind masks.
2. Father Figures and Emotional Distance
A central aspect of Animal is the strained father-son bond — Arjun’s desperate need for validation. In Pokiri, though not a family drama, the protagonist also operates in emotional isolation. Both characters channel their pain through violence, making the emotional foundation similar.
3. Romantic Balance
Both stories use romance to soften their brutal heroes. In Pokiri, Ileana D’Cruz’s character adds lightness to Pandu’s intensity. In Animal, Rashmika Mandanna’s Geetanjali serves a similar emotional role, grounding Arjun amid chaos.
4. Violence as Expression
In both films, violence isn’t random — it’s a form of expression. Their aggression becomes a language to communicate love, frustration, and identity. This shared stylistic choice makes Animal feel spiritually connected to Pokiri.
Is Animal a Ripoff or Reinterpretation?
Indian cinema often thrives on reinterpretation. Storytelling traditions pass from one generation to another, evolving in style and context.
While Animal borrows Pokiri’s underworld template and anti-hero charisma, it dives deeper into psychological themes — emotional neglect, masculine fragility, and generational trauma. The goal isn’t to expose corruption like Pokiri did; instead, Animal examines how emotional wounds turn into destructive behavior.
So, calling Animal 2023 a ripoff of Pokiri 2006 might be an exaggeration. It’s more accurate to say it reworks familiar ideas with a darker emotional tone.
Why Audiences Notice the Parallels
1. Cinematic Memory
Fans remember iconic films vividly. When Pokiri left such a strong mark, any movie echoing its elements naturally invites comparison.
2. Social Media Scrutiny
Today’s audiences dissect every frame online. YouTube comparisons, memes, and scene analyses magnify similarities that once went unnoticed.
3. Changing Audience Expectations
Modern viewers expect innovation. When a big film like Animal repeats tropes from older hits, the reaction can quickly turn critical — even if the film’s emotional layers differ.
Thematic Parallels: Masculinity and Redemption
Both Pokiri and Animal center around intense, emotionally wounded men.
In Pokiri, Pandu’s aggression hides a noble mission — justice. In Animal, Arjun’s violence stems from love-starved desperation. Both characters represent flawed masculinity — tough on the outside, broken on the inside.
However, Animal pushes this further by blending action with psychological drama, turning a traditional crime story into a commentary on emotional trauma.
Homage vs. Copy: The Thin Line
Many filmmakers draw inspiration from classics. Sandeep Reddy Vanga may have been influenced by Pokiri’s character design and underworld style but transformed it through his own emotional lens.
While Pokiri was about duty, Animal is about family and love. Both use similar cinematic language — but tell different emotional stories.
The “ripoff” label sticks only because of shared frameworks: secret lives, urban violence, and emotionally isolated heroes. But storytelling evolution is not theft; it’s transformation.
Industry Reactions and Fan Debates
After Animal’s release, fan forums and critics divided sharply. Some accused Vanga of rehashing Pokiri’s formula with new packaging, while others celebrated it as a modern myth reborn.
Even critics pointed out that Animal carries traces of multiple inspirations — from The Godfather to Scarface — making it a cinematic blend rather than a direct remake.
Ultimately, both films portray chaos, control, and the fragile human mind behind violence — one through law enforcement, the other through love.
Why the Debate Matters
The “Animal 2023 ripoff of Pokiri 2006” debate highlights an ongoing struggle in Indian cinema — balancing originality with emotional familiarity.
Filmmakers often revisit proven frameworks, but what separates creativity from copying is intent. Animal doesn’t just copy Pokiri’s success formula; it humanizes the gangster archetype and explores how family wounds fuel obsession and rage.
This discussion reminds audiences that cinema is an evolving conversation — not a competition of who did it first, but who did it differently.
Final Verdict: Ripoff or Reinvention?
Labeling Animal 2023 a ripoff of Pokiri 2006 is too simplistic. Both films share DNA — the mysterious anti-hero, moral duality, and explosive violence — but they serve different purposes.
Pokiri exposed the criminal world through undercover justice. Animal explored internal wounds through emotional chaos. One speaks to the streets; the other to the soul.
In short, Animal is not a copy — it’s an evolution. It modernizes Pokiri’s essence for a generation more attuned to emotional vulnerability and psychological realism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which movie Animal is a copy of?
Many believe Animal (2023) is inspired by Pokiri (2006) due to similar themes of dual identity, violence, and a conflicted hero. However, Animal adds emotional complexity and focuses more on family trauma, making it more of a reinterpretation than a direct copy.
Is Wanted a remake of Pokiri?
Yes. Wanted (2009), starring Salman Khan, is the official Hindi remake of Pokiri (2006). The plot, characters, and action sequences closely follow the original Telugu version directed by Puri Jagannadh.
Which actress rejected Animal movie?
Before Rashmika Mandanna joined Animal, reports suggested that Parineeti Chopra was initially approached for the female lead role. Due to scheduling conflicts and creative differences, she declined the project.
Is Animal movie a remake of any movie?
No, Animal (2023) is not an official remake of any film. While it shares thematic similarities with Pokiri and other gangster dramas, it’s an original story written and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, focusing on father-son relationships and emotional turmoil.
Conclusion
The discussion over whether Animal 2023 is a ripoff of Pokiri 2006 reflects how storytelling in Indian cinema evolves — a story of brilliance and tragedy that highlights both creative genius and emotional depth. Both films share familiar patterns — a conflicted hero, emotional absence, and the interplay of love and violence — but their emotional cores differ drastically.
Where Pokiri celebrated justice and duty, Animal mourns emotional disconnect and love lost. One birthed the modern gangster hero; the other redefined him as a wounded soul.
Whether you call it a ripoff or a reinvention, one truth stands clear — both Pokiri and Animal have earned their place in cinematic history, inspiring debate, emotion, and admiration for years to come.