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Sandeep Reddy Vanga

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Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Vanga in Dallas during his 2023 US tour
Born (1981-12-25) 25 December 1981 (age 42)
Warangal, Telangana India
Occupations
  • Film director
  • Screenwriter
  • Editor
Years active2005–present
Spouse
Manisha Reddy
​
(m. 2014)​
Children2

Sandeep Reddy Vanga (pronounced [sˈændiːp ɹˈɛdi vˈæŋɡə]; 25 December, 1981) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and editor known for his works in Telugu and Hindi cinema. He is known for his gritty and intense dramas, with a blend of dark psychological themes and complex characters.

Vanga made his screenwriting and directing debut with the 2017 Telugu-language romantic drama film Arjun Reddy. It was a critical and commercial success, gaining him recognition. He continued his success with its Hindi-language remake, Kabir Singh (2019), which went on to become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time. Kabir Singh also became the first A-certified Indian film to gross over ₹300 crore in India.[1]

Vanga's prominence increased with the Hindi-language action-drama film Animal (2023), which generally received mixed reviews from the critics. Nevertheless the film became a huge commercial success, broke several box office records and emerged as the 9th highest-grossing Indian film and the highest-grossing A rated Indian film of all time.[2] For Animal, Vanga was nominated for Best Director, Best Screenplay writer and Best Editor at 69th Filmfare Awards.

Early life

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Sandeep Reddy Vanga was born in a Telugu family, in Warangal, Telangana. He did his early schooling at Platinum Jubilee High School, Warangal, and moved to Hyderabad after class 8 standard for his further education. He earned a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy. He later went on to pursue filmmaking at an International Film School in Sydney, Australia.[3][4]

Career

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2005–2012: Early career

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Vanga worked as an apprentice for the film Manasu Maata Vinadhu in 2005 for 25 days at Rushikonda Beach, Vizag. He worked for a few Tollywood films, including Kedi (2010) as an assistant director with Kiran Kumar and Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015) as an associate director with Kranthi Madhav. He started writing the script for a film titled Sugar Factory for his directorial debut, but he eventually shelved it and started writing the script of Arjun Reddy instead.

2013–2017: Directorial debut and recognition

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Vanga started writing the script for Arjun Reddy in 2013 and finished it in two years. Producer Swapna Dutt and Sharwanand showed interest to produce and act in the film, however, it did not pan out as expected as Sharwanand had multiple projects in the queue at the time. He was introduced to Vijay Deverakonda by a common friend. He cast him as the lead for his directorial debut Arjun Reddy. The film was released on 25 August 2017 to critical acclaim and became a blockbuster hit. It was produced on a minuscule budget of ₹4–5 crores, but went on to gross more than ₹50 crores (US$8 million) at the box office.[5][6][7] However, during the release, it constantly ran into trouble with the censor board for the depiction of smoking and drug use. It also created a furor for its kissing scenes and poster, which were eventually approved by the Telangana Film Chamber. Senior political leader, V. Hanumantha Rao, raged over the positioning of the film to the audience. He went on to publicly peeling off the posters of the film, encouraging the audience to not entertain such films.

2019–present: Widespread success

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Vanga himself agreed to direct the Hindi version of Arjun Reddy (2017), titled Kabir Singh (2019).[8] Shahid Kapoor was signed in as the eponymous protagonist, while Kiara Advani was roped into playing the female lead. The film was produced by Murad Khetani and Ashwin Warde, who bought the rights to the original film for ₹15 million. The filming began in October 2018, wrapped up in March 2019, and the movie was released on 21 June of the same year. Despite its controversial depictions of drug abuse and toxic relationships, it went on to earn over ₹379 crore (US$45 million) worldwide and over ₹278 crore (US$33 million) net domestically in India, becoming the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2019, and Shahid Kapoor's highest-grossing solo-lead release.

On 1 January 2021, Vanga's next directorial titled Animal, an action drama film starring Ranbir Kapoor in lead was announced. It was produced by T-Series, Bhadrakhali Pictures, and Cine1Studios.[9] Animal released on 1 December 2023. It received positive response from the critics, with praise going towards its performances, music, and technical aspects, grossing over ₹900 crore (US$110 million) worldwide, becoming the third highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, the eighth highest-grossing Indian film, and the highest-grossing A-rated Indian film of all time.[2]A sequel titled Animal Park was teased in the post-credits scene of the film, whose shooting will commence between 2026 and 2027.[10]

His next directorial, Spirit (2025) was announced in 7 October 2021, starring Prabhas, his first collaboration with Vanga, produced jointly by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures.[11] A first movie venture, which will star Allu Arjun, was speculated to be released after Spirit, but Vanga clarified that it will be made only after Animal Park is made.

Filmmaking style

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Vanga crafts the scenes and shaping the character with complex heroic undertones with a blend of dark psychological themes. His debut film Arjun Reddy was described by The Times of India as a trendsetter which reinvented the love-tragedy genre.[12] While making action-drama Animal (2023), Vanga cited the influence of The Godfather and Kill Bill.[13] He himself considers Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh; love stories, Animal; a family drama, and his next upcoming film titled Spirit, his venture into the more commercial action genre.[14]

Vanga's films have been commercially successful but it's matter of debate in media that his films have been accused of allegedly glorifying misogynistic themes and elements.[15] He has been defended by filmmakers such as Ram Gopal Varma, Anurag Kashyap,[16] Vikram Bhatt,[17] and Sanjay Gupta[18] as well as actresses Rashmika Mandanna,[19] Tanishaa Mukerji,[20] Sargun Mehta,[21] Indira Krishnan,[22] and Bhumi Pednekar.[23] Kashyap in particular has remained vocal about defending him and Animal because he himself faced similar challenges following the release of his own films Dev.D, That Girl in Yellow Boots and Bombay Velvet.[24][25][26]

Personal life

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Sandeep Reddy Vanga is married to Manisha Reddy. The couple had two kids, a daughter and a son in 2014.[4] Vanga stated that he named his son, Arjun Reddy after the protagonist of his first film.[27][28]

Filmography

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List of directorial feature films
Year Title Director Writer Editor Language Note
2017 Arjun Reddy Yes Yes No Telugu
2019 Kabir Singh Yes Yes Yes Hindi Remake of his Arjun Reddy (2017)
2023 Animal Yes Yes Yes Voice dubbed for Aziz Haque character
2025 Spirit † Yes Yes Yes Telugu

Acting roles

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Kedi Man on a boat Uncredited
2018 Mahanati Vedantam Raghavayya
2023 Animal Aziz Haque Voice only

Awards and nominations

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List of Sandeep Reddy Vanga awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Film Result Ref.
2018 7th South Indian International Movie Awards Best Debut Director (Telugu) Arjun Reddy Won [citation needed]
Best Director (Telugu) Nominated [citation needed]
65th Filmfare Awards South Best Director – Telugu Nominated [citation needed]
49th Cinegoers Awards Best Debut Director Won [citation needed]
2019 26th Screen Awards Best Director Kabir Singh Nominated [citation needed]
21st IIFA Awards Best Director Nominated [citation needed]
2024 69th Filmfare Awards Best Director Animal Nominated [citation needed]
Best Screenplay Nominated [citation needed]
Best Editing Nominated [citation needed]
24th IIFA Awards Best Director Nominated
Best Editing Won

References

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  1. ^ "Kabir Singh enters 200 crore club, first A-rated film to achieve the feat". Cinema Express. 4 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Animal box office collection Day 8 early report: Ranbir Kapoor-starrer becomes highest grossing 'A' rated film". The Indian Express. 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  3. ^ Jonnalagedda, Pranita (17 August 2017). "Director Sandeep Vanga to watch out for!". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Animal: Who Is Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Whose Film Starring Ranbir Kapoor Has Sparked HUGE Debate". News18. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Telugu film 'Arjun Reddy' reaches the Rs 50 crore club". The News Minute. 16 October 2017. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  6. ^ Jayakrishnan (10 September 2017). "Arjun Reddy box office collection week 2: Vijay Devarakonda starrer collects Rs 41.5 crore worldwide". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  7. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (9 September 2017). "Three hours and a huge hit later". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Vidya defends Kabir Singh". Asian Age. 17 February 2020. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Ranbir Kapoor to star in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's crime drama Animal". The Indian Express. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2021.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Sandeep Reddy Vang gives major update on Animal Park, says it will be 'bigger & wilder'". 21 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Spirit: Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga team up for #Prabhas25 with Bhushan Kumar". The Times of India. 7 October 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  12. ^ "'Arjun Reddy' completes three years: Recollect these kick-ass SCENES from Vijay Deverakonda's cult film". The Times of India. 25 August 2020. "Three years for cult classic Arjun Reddy". 25 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares how influence of the Godfather and Kill Bill shaped Animal: 'I saw the Godfather for some 30-40 times'". 20 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit' to be a 'commercial entertainer'". The Statesman. 11 July 2024.
  15. ^ Mehta, Takshi (1 December 2023). "Animal review: Sandeep Reddy Vanga parades misogyny under the guise of love". thefederal.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Anurag Kashyap meets Sandeep Reddy Vanga after watching Animal 'twice'; calls him 'most misunderstood, judged filmmaker at the moment'". Indian Express. 13 January 2024. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Vikram Bhatt says discussions around Animal 'too much', cites Shah Rukh Khan's Darr and Al Pacino's Scarface: 'Films are not community service'". Indian Express. 13 January 2024. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  18. ^ "'Javed Akhtar isn't accepting that society has changed': Sanjay Gupta sides with Sandeep Reddy Vanga in Animal debate". Indian Express. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Rashmika Mandanna defends Sandeep Reddy Vanga; says, 'He functions differently'". Times of India. 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Tanishaa Mukerji dubs Animal as a feminist movie, defends 'lick my shoe' scene: 'It was very realistic'". Indian Express. 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Sargun Mehta defends Sandeep Reddy Vanga on misogyny in Animal, says if people want to learn lessons from films, 'Let's shut down schools'". Indian Express. 18 February 2024. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Animal actor Indira Krishna defends Sandeep Reddy Vanga in verbal spat with Adil Hussain". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Bhumi Pednekar defends Ranbir Kapoor starrer 'Animal'; says Sandeep Reddy Vanga has right of 'self expression' as a filmmaker". Times of India. 9 February 2024. Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Anurag Kashyap backs 'honest' Sandeep Reddy Vanga, compares him to 'toxic' Bollywood folks: 'I want to call out the hypocrisy'". Indian Express. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Anurag Kashyap Says He Loves Talking To Sandeep Reddy Vanga: 'A Lot Of People In The Industry Are Toxic'". CNN-News18. 11 June 2024. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Anurag Kashyap says his daughter Aaliyah called him out for views on Animal and photo with Sandeep Reddy Vanga". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  27. ^ Lohana, Avinash. "Kabir Singh director Sandeep Vanga: I named my son Arjun Reddy". Mumbai Mirror. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Sandeep Reddy Vanga showed Animal's edited version to 7-year-old son, had 'ideological battles' with wife: 'She felt there was too much bloodshed'". The Indian Express. 6 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
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