“If You Love Someone, Change Will Happen”: Rashmika Mandanna’s Moot Comment On 'Animal'
At the We The Women event hosted by veteran journalist Barkha Dutt aired on June 29, 2025, actress Rashmika Mandanna found herself at the centre of controversy after responding to a pointed audience question about her views on love, relationships, and the controversial male lead in Animal, played by Ranbir Kapoor.
During the interactive session, a young woman from the audience asked Rashmika: “Would you be okay with a man like Ranbir Kapoor’s character in Animal in your real life?”
Her response stunned many in the crowd. Rashmika replied: “I truly believe that if you love someone, and if someone loves you, change will happen.”
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The statement quickly drew criticism both from viewers and fellow participants, who saw it as an attempt to romanticise or justify problematic, even toxic, behaviour exhibited in the film. Barkha Dutt herself interjected, visibly taken aback: “You actually think you can change people? You know that’s a young and romantic idea. Nobody changes.”
Rashmika, holding her ground, said firmly: “I will tell you why!” and went on to explain her belief in love’s power to transform a person. But the justification did not land well with much of the audience.
The woman who had posed the original question added candidly: “Every woman here in her 30s and 40s will tell you—you cannot change a man.” Her remark was met with knowing nods and applause.
While Rashmika’s comments may have come from a place of hope or youthful optimism, critics argue that such narratives, especially when expressed by public figures can reinforce dangerous ideas about enduring emotional harm in the hope of “changing” someone, particularly in the context of films like Animal, which has faced scrutiny for glorifying aggressive masculinity and emotional manipulation.
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The conversation also covered several other thought-provoking topics, including nepotism, pay parity, her first paycheck, and star-kid privilege, but it was the Animal comment that overshadowed the rest.
Rashmika Mandanna (born 5 April 1996) is an acclaimed Indian actress who primarily appears in Telugu and Hindi films. She has won four SIIMA Awards and a Filmfare Award South.
Recognised as one of the highest-paid actresses in South India, she was featured in Forbes India’s 2024 ’30 Under 30′ list for her impact and rising stardom. On the work front, Rashmika Mandanna is currently filming for the upcoming Hindi project Thama and Telugu movie The Girlfriend.
