‘Dirty excuse’: Sandeep Reddy Vanga fires back after Dhruv Rathee links Animal to chainsaw attack

New Delhi: Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga has hit back at the YouTuber after the latter linked films such as and to the shocking chainsaw attack on a Class 10 student in Andhra Pradesh. Without taking anyone’s name directly, the director took to social media on Wednesday (November 4) and strongly criticised those blaming cinema for real-life criminal incidents.

The filmmaker said that a horrific crime should first be met with empathy for the victims and their families rather than attempts to find someone to blame. His strongly worded post has now added another chapter to the growing debate over violence in mainstream Indian cinema.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga hits back at critics

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Animal director expressed his displeasure over people drawing parallels between violent scenes in films and the recent attack on the schoolgirl. Without naming Dhruv Rathee or anyone else, Vanga took a direct swipe at actors, directors and producers who, according to him, suddenly present themselves as social reformers whenever they get an opportunity to criticise another filmmaker’s work. 

“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,” he added.

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.

— Sandeep Reddy Vanga (@imvangasandeep) November 4, 2026

Why did Dhruv Rathee say?

The controversy gained momentum after Dhruv Rathee shared a report about the October 31 attack and criticised films such as Animal and Dhurandhar. Taking to X, the YouTuber wrote, “Special thanks to movies like Animal and Dhurandhar for giving templates to these criminals.” His remark sparked a debate over whether violent sequences in commercial films can influence the behaviour of viewers.

The discussion soon attracted reactions from different sections of social media. While some users supported Rathee’s argument and questioned the portrayal of extreme violence in mainstream cinema, others defended filmmakers, saying that fictional stories should not automatically be held responsible for criminal acts. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma also weighed in on the debate, drawing a comparison between blaming films for violence and blaming the Ramayana for kidnappings.

What happened in the Andhra Pradesh chainsaw attack? 

The incident took place on October 31 at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. A 21 Sandeep Reddy Vanga reacts to criticism of violent films after Dhruv Rathee links Animal and Dhurandhar to the shocking chainsaw attack on a schoolgirl in Andhra Pradesh. 21-year old man, identified as Hemanth alias Dummu, allegedly entered a classroom during a lesson and attacked a 15-year-old Class 10 student, Gopika, with a mechanised chainsaw. Another student, identified in reports as Lakshmi, was also injured while attempting to intervene and protect her classmate. According to preliminary police findings reported by media outlets, the accused allegedly targeted Gopika after she rejected his advances.

The case has taken several turns since the attack. The accused was traced to the Atmakur forest area, where police opened fire after he allegedly resisted the arrest and attempted to attack personnel. He sustained serious bullet injuries, and doctors later had to amputate his right leg because of complications, including gangrene. Meanwhile, there has been some encouraging news about Gopika’s recovery. According to the latest medical updates reported on November 4, she has been taken off ventilator support, is responding to treatment and has started physiotherapy at a Bengaluru hospital. The Andhra Pradesh High Court has also sought a detailed report from the police on the circumstances surrounding the firing and the subsequent handling of the accused.

Written By Uditi Sharma!