Saurabh Sachdeva: I did not morally judge my character in Animal | Exclusive

From Suleiman Isa in Sacred Games to Suleiman lsquoHajirsquo Maqbool in Bambai Meri Jaan Saurabh Sachdeva has played the baddie with relish multiple times on screen But the one film of his that everyone is talking about now is Animal The actor plays Bobby Deols Abrar Haque brother Abid Haque in the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorialIn an interview with Middaycom the actor revealed his experience working on Animal with Ranbir Kapoor and his cousin Kareena Kapoor in the OTT film Jaane JaanlsquoI was initially struggling with my characterrsquoSaurabh came on board Animal after shooting had already begun He needed a context to the character and Vanga showed him the nowfamous fight scene where Ranbir takes on a hundred men on his ownldquoI was initially struggling with my character and the style of the film I went to the director Sandeep and asked for another meeting I wanted to know the world of this character He said I selected you from Taish directed by Bejoy Nambiar He was also editing the parts that were shot already and he showed me the helmet wala scene where Ranbir Kapoor is attacked by a large group of men wearing shiny helmets I thought wow this is something else and larger than liferdquo he saidlsquoShooting barebodied in the freezing cold was difficultrsquoBoth Bobby Deol and Ranbir Kapoorrsquos roles have been loved by the audience Talking about working with them on set Saurabh said ldquoThere was difficulty shooting the last fight sequence for seven days with actors who are barebodied in the freezing cold We were struggling there otherwise it was fun to shoot the film Being with Bobby was such a beautiful experience he is such a vulnerable and humble human being Ranbir is such a curious human being He is always asking questions always there to talk to you and take care of you Sandeep has such a big vision It was a very good atmosphere on the setlsquoI did not morally judge my character in AnimalrsquoSaurabh had a very simple brief for his character and he stuck to the essence of it ldquoI never knew the full story of this film He just told me my part ndash that we are cousins to Ranbirrsquos character We have a conflict we are out there to take revenge And that I am my brotherrsquos voice Thatrsquos all I kept in my mind that whatever happens I have to take care of him because I know where he falters how temperamental he is Whatever happens this person in front of me is my worldrdquo he narratedAnd so he became aware of the criticism about the film being problematic and misogynistic or too violent much laterldquoI did not know about all these things I did not know the whole story in the beginning I was also discovering a lot of things while watching the film I just knew my part which was in a different world ndash we just knew that we have tried to kill his father so he is coming to take revenge People might like or dislike the movie it is difficult to understand this point about where we stand and how brutal should films be A lot of directors from around the world have faced issues with portrayals of sexuality and violence Itrsquos a big argument going on for years I am also contemplating where do I stand Because I enjoyed working on the film it is quite an experience You might not have a logical answer to every question about the material but it moves you emotionallylsquoHad a problem playing an abusive husband to KareenarsquoHowever he did judge his role as Ajit Mhatre in Jaane Jaan His role was that of an abusive husband to Kareena because of whom she changes her identity and lives in hiding in the hillsSaurabh narrated how he went about convincing himself to take up the role ldquoWe have been watching Kareena on screen for years she is such a big star Playing her husband especially this kind of a character who is abusive and difficult to handle coming close to her holding herhellip I asked her if she was comfortable She said lsquoYes we have to play our characters this is a filmrsquo So then I told myself keep your morals and values aside and play the roleldquoIt was difficult for me when I was signing the film I was in two minds because my values were not in line with the character I had to push those moral judgements aside and think why this character is like this and believe that what he does is right I also made up a backstory on him While shooting also I was struggling with thisrdquo he describedBut he did not have the same moral dilemma during Animal ldquoNo because there I was only working to protect my family He is my brother I have to take care of him and fight the people who would try to harm them ndash that was the thought There was no problem with thatrdquo he said