Animal 2023

In the bustling metropolis of Delhi, Ranvijay “Vijay” Singh (Ranbir Kapoor) harbors an extraordinary devotion for his affluent patriarch, Balbir Singh (Anil Kapoor), despite the latter’s relentless schedule leaving little time for family bonding; as the CEO of Swastik Steels, a prominent steel conglomerate. PK Mishra (Shakti Kapoor) serves as the company’s Chief Operating Officer.

Meanwhile, Balbir’s father, Rajdheer Dodamal Singh “Dadaji” (Suresh Oberoi), and his elder brother, Dalbir Dodamal Singh “Bade Daji” (Prem Chopra), have a strained relationship. The latter’s absence has created a chasm between the two.

Balbir is married to Jyoti (Charu Shankar) and they have three children - Vijay, Reet, and Roop (Anshul Chauhan). As 1996 unfolds, the young trio remains in school. However, when Vijay intervenes on his sister Reet’s behalf against her tormentors with an AK-47, Balbir promptly sends him away to a boarding school in the United States.

Years pass as Vijay completes his education and returns home, bearing the scars of his tumultuous past. Upon his return, he discovers that his family dynamics have undergone significant changes. His friend Karthik (Maganti Srinath) is set to marry off his sister Geetanjali, with whom Vijay shares a complicated history - they used to study together, and now she affectionately refers to him as “brother.”

As Vijay navigates this complex web of relationships, he finds himself at odds with Reet’s husband Varun (Siddhant Karnick) over matters of respect. This disagreement ultimately prompts Balbir to banish Vijay from the household once more.

The tension culminates on Balbir’s 60th birthday, when Varun invites the Chief Minister to a celebratory party. In a heated exchange, Vijay refuses to pay homage to the CM, deeming it a hollow gesture; he instead accuses Varun of lacking the acumen to maintain the family’s honor.

As tensions simmer, Vijay warns his sister Roop (Anshul Chauhan) about her growing infatuation with Varun’s younger brother, cautioning her to sever ties before they become too entrenched.

As Vijay prepares to depart from his humble abode, Karthik arrives with Geetanjali in tow, her reluctance to marry her intended suitor having earned her a one-way ticket out of her family home. Vijay’s initial hesitation gives way to compassion as he takes Geetanjali under his wing, introducing her to Balbir, only to be met with a chilling reception. The couple’s plans for marriage are further complicated by the objections of Geetanjali’s parents, Shreepad (Mathew Varghese) and Motika (Indira Krishnan).

In an unexpected turn of events, Vijay and Geetanjali decide to eschew their families’ interference, opting instead to tie the knot in a private ceremony and relocate to the United States. Eight years pass, with the couple starting a family of their own.

Their tranquil existence is disrupted when Balbir falls victim to an assassination attempt, sparking a chain reaction that sets Vijay’s world ablaze. Upon his return to India, Vijay faces a frosty reception from Varun, who seems hell-bent on making his life miserable. Undeterred, Vijay embarks on a quest for justice, determined to uncover the identity of the would-be killer.

As he navigates the treacherous landscape, Vijay finds himself at odds with his family, particularly Dalbir’s kin, who prove reluctant to lend their support. However, Dalbir himself is impressed by Vijay’s tenacity and agrees to provide backup, recognizing his cousin’s courage in attempting to bridge the gap between their two families.

Vijay’s investigation leads him to recruit a body double for Balbir, only for it to be brutally slaughtered by Asrar Haque (Babloo Prithiveeraj), the mastermind behind the assassination attempt. The revelation of Varun’s involvement in the plot sends Vijay’s wrath soaring, culminating in a public execution at a conference where Asrar is also present.

As the dust settles, Vijay uncovers a tangled web of deceit, with Varun revealed to be in direct communication with Asrar. His anger now redirected towards his brother, Vijay vows to exact revenge. The stage is set for a showdown as Vijay meets arms dealer Freddy Wilfred Patil (Upendra Limaye) at a hotel, where an ambush by hundreds of assailants, led by Asrar, awaits.

Freddy’s special arsenal, including a fearsome machine gun, proves instrumental in the ensuing battle. Though severely wounded and bedridden for two weeks, Vijay recovers just as his heart begins to fail him. A life-saving heart transplant becomes the only option, but not before he exacts his revenge on Asrar.

As Vijay lies in recovery, his mind fixates on the identity of Asrar’s cohorts, vowing to bring them to justice. Little does he know that the truth is still hiding in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered.

As tensions escalate, Balbir’s pleas to send the cousins packing fall on deaf ears with Vijay, who remains steadfast in his resolve that they’re not out of danger yet. With a heavy heart, he breaks the news to Reet that Varun is no more, a revelation that sends shockwaves throughout the group. Meanwhile, Geetanjali confesses her deep-seated fear of Vijay, unsure when - or if - he’ll stop his ruthless pursuit.

In a separate storyline, Abrar Haque (Bobby Deol), brother to Asrar and uncle to Aziz, is revealed to be the mastermind behind a complex web of deceit. Married to Umm-E-Hani Fareen (Mansi Taxak) for a third time, Abrar has eight children from his previous two marriages to Niloofar (Shabana Haroon) and Mehrunnisa (Safina Shah). His backstory is marked by tragedy and trauma, stemming from the suicide of his father Shamsher following a bitter dispute with Rajdheer Singh over Balbir’s assets.

Months later, Vijay begins an affair with Zoya (Triptii Dimri), the fiancée of his heart donor. However, Zoya reveals that she was sent by Abrar to seduce him and uncover his true identity. Unbeknownst to her, Vijay has been playing along all along, seeking to uncover the mastermind’s plan.

As the truth begins to unravel, Zoya discloses Abrar’s sinister scheme: to surgically alter his younger brother Aziz to resemble Vijay, allowing the fake Vijay to infiltrate Balbir’s household and carry out a gruesome murder. The fake Vijay would then be mistaken as the killer, cursing the real Vijay to eternal damnation.

Emboldened by this new information, Vijay allows Zoya to leave, only to learn from his grandfather Rajdheer Singh that Abrar and his brothers are actually his second cousins. This revelation sparks a sense of treachery, as Vijay realizes that Abrar’s vendetta is rooted in a deep-seated desire for vengeance.

As Vijay comes clean to Geetanjali about his dalliance with Zoya, she is consumed by anger and hurt. However, Vijay refuses to kill Zoya, having learned the truth from her. He claims that his actions were motivated solely by a desire to protect Balbir, but Geetanjali sees things differently - viewing Balbir as a toxic influence in their lives.

In the end, Vijay and Geetanjali reconcile, their passion for each other reigniting as they come together in a fiery embrace.

As Vijay and his cousins touch down in Scotland, they intercept Abrar as he readies a private jet for departure, accompanied by his sibling Abid (Saurabh Sachdeva). A fierce and intense battle erupts on the runway, culminating in Vijay’s ultimate victory over Abrar. In the aftermath of this violent confrontation, Vijay emerges as the sole survivor.

Meanwhile, back home, Fareen welcomes twin baby boys into her family.

As Diwali festivities fill the air with joy and celebration, Balbir is forced to confront his mortality, revealing his terminal illness to Vijay. This life-altering revelation sparks a profound introspection within Vijay, illuminating the root cause of his aggression: his father’s lack of love. With this newfound understanding, Balbir tenderly apologizes to his son, paving the way for their long-overdue reconciliation.

However, amidst this period of healing and renewal, Geetanjali chooses to depart from her relationship with Vijay, leaving the future uncertain – will Abhay remain by his side or strike out on his own?

The film’s epilogue unfolds in a surprising post-credits scene. Aziz (Ranbir Kapoor), the youngest Haque brother, undergoes a dramatic transformation through plastic surgery, morphing into an uncanny likeness of Vijay. Accompanied by Zoya, who bears a child though unsure whose it is – Aziz’ or Vijay’s – this enigmatic figure sets his sights on exacting vengeance for the demise of his two elder brothers, Abid and Abrar. As he embarks on this perilous quest with Abid by his side, the stage is set for an explosive reckoning that will shake the very foundations of their world.