Anil Kapoor, who will be featured in Animal with Ranbir Kapoor, reportedly stated that he always felt Ranbir would be a star and referred to him as the "tall Raj Kapoor." Ranbir made his debut in the 2007 film Saawariya alongside Anil's daughter Sonam Kapoor, and while the film was critically lambasted at the time, Anil stated that he has always believed in Ranbir's potential.
Anil said, "I started my career as a casting director." I have an uncanny ability to recognize faces and actors. That makes me really happy. I was watching Saawariya and thought, 'In the Kapoor family, there is a tall Raj Kapoor.' " I said it nearly 16 years ago."
In Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, Anil Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor portray father and son. Ranbir Kapoor has called the father-son narrative 'A rated' Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Anil stated at a press conference in Hyderabad that casting was very important in the film and that it truly helped that Ranbir and Anil's families have been friends for sixty years. "I knew Ranbir's father very well, and we've been close family friends for over 60 years." "He's a member of the family," he remarked. Anil added at the same press conference that hiring Bobby Deol in Animal was a "masterstroke" on Sandeep's part.
Animal, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna, will hit cinemas on December 1.