- A Class 10 girl was attacked by a 21-year-old man with an electric chainsaw in Andhra Pradesh
- The attack was motivated by the girl's rejection of the accused's advances
- The incident sparked social media debates comparing it to a violent scene in the film Animal
In a shocking turn of events, a Class 10 girl was attacked at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, which has currently become a widespread topic of debate. The accused is a 21-year-old man, identified as Hemanth who carried out the attack with an electric chainsaw, and the brutal attempt has now raised concerns over the safety of children in schools. The name of the girl attacked is Gopika who rejected his advances and hence he resorted to attacking her. This has also led to a widespread conversation on social media platforms, with many users comparing it to a particular scene in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal.
In one scene of the film, Ranbir Kapoor storms into a classroom holding a loaded gun. It was one of the most talked-about scenes in the film when it was released and has now resurfaced in light of the Raptadu attack.
The internet is of the opinion that filmmakers need to be more cognisant of what they show in films. There has to be greater consideration of how violence and dangerous weapons are represented in school settings in films that might have such a large impact.
Arguments have also addressed how films have a responsibility towards society and that violence should not be portrayed as heroic on the big screen.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga addressed the issue as he took to X and wrote, "When someone commits a heinous crime, the first response should be empathy & an attempt to understand the larger problem. Not finding a convenient scapegoat in cinema. It is becoming increasingly clear that your concern is not for the victims or their families, but that you're using a horrific tragedy as a dirty excuse to settle your personal scores. This is especially directed at those failed, frustrated, jobless male/female actors, few directors, producers & parasites, who suddenly appoint themselves as social reformers whenever an opportunity arises to take a dig at someone else's work. A tragedy deserves empathy, not opportunism. Learn the difference."
Social media users have been accusing films like Animal and Dhurandhar for the rise in such crimes in real life too.
The criticism currently blowing up is not just restricted to Vanga. Other filmmakers who portray violence on screen are also being held responsible.