Such is the popularity of Animal (2023) among Ranbir Kapoor’s fans that they’ve kept their eyes peeled for Animal Park. As the superstar recently united with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga for a virtual press meet, ahead of the blockbuster’s release in Japan on February 13, the duo talked about the way ahead for the franchise.

Expressing his excitement to play two characters — Rannvijay and his cousin Aziz — in the sequel, Kapoor said, “I can’t wait to get back on set with Sandeep and play these characters. Sandeep and I keep chatting through the week or month and keep discussing different ideas.” Vanga, who is currently helming Spirit, shared that Animal Park will go on floors by mid-2027.

Besides Rockstar (2011) and Barfi (2012), Animal has become a career-defining movie for Kapoor. The actor admitted that Vanga’s faith in him convinced him to say yes to a “scary character”. “Before this, I was always playing the lover boy and coming-of-age characters. When Sandeep narrated Animal to me, I found the character extremely scary to approach for an actor like me. But [thanks to] his confidence, I believed I could do it,” he said.

Ranbir Kapoor said he felt a deep bond with Japan, thanks to his late grandfather Raj Kapoor. “I have such a deep connection with Japan. One of my grandfather’s most popular songs around the world is ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’,” he reasoned, adding that he now wants to take his daughter Raha to the country. “I cannot wait to show Japan to her.”