Why Didn’t Shahid Kapoor Make Cameo Appearance In Animal As Kabir Singh? Sandeep Reddy Vanga Reveals
Recently, fans of filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga were let in on a fascinating tidbit: the director had toyed with the idea of bringing Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh character into a cameo in the 2023 hit Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor.
Kabir Singh, a 2019 blockbuster adapted from Vanga’s own Telugu film Arjun Reddy, follows the tumultuous life of a brilliant but volatile surgeon. Animal, released on 1 December 2023, explores the dark, intense world of Ranvijay, played by Ranbir Kapoor, and raked in over Rs. 900 crore globally! Vanga, the creative force behind both films, initially envisioned a crossover moment, but ultimately scrapped it for reasons he’s now revealed in a candid interview.
I was convinced about the cameo of Kabir Singh in #Animal. Ppl in shoot location were also happy bcz it’d make the box office bigger. I dropped it bcz it’ll dilute the suffering of Ranvijay & the cameo desperacy will make it an add-on.
–#SandeepReddyVanga pic.twitter.com/aeTQVqLhXU
— Raymond. (@rayfilm) March 1, 2025
Describing the original plan, Vanga said, “Yes, I did think of it once – the idea was that they’d meet in a bar. Kabir Singh and Ranvijay would’ve exchanged a few lines, and that’s it.” He saw potential in uniting the two fiery characters, noting, “I thought of a scene where Kabir Singh and Ranvijay would meet at a bar, just exchanging a few lines. It was a fun idea – two wild souls from different worlds clashing over drinks.” The concept promised a thrilling Easter egg for fans familiar with Kabir Singh’s chaotic energy and Ranvijay’s ruthless streak.
He further added, “When I discussed it, everyone on set said it was an amazing idea and could bring in an extra 100 crores. In Delhi, I thought, let’s get Kabir Singh as one of the chief doctors — someone aggressive enough to handle a case like this. But the scene was too serious. Doctors are saying his heart is gone, lungs are gone, kidney is gone. If Kabir enters at that moment, it undermines the suffering.”
However, Vanga dropped the idea as Animal’s script took shape. “But later, when I started writing the script, I realized it would feel forced. It didn’t suit the narrative organically,” he explained. He elaborated on the creative mismatch, stating, “When I started writing Animal, I realized Kabir Singh’s cameo wouldn’t fit anywhere. The tone of Animal was too intense, and adding Kabir Singh would’ve distracted from Ranvijay’s journey.” Practicality also played a role: “Also, Shahid was busy with his prior commitments, so we couldn’t take it forward.” Reflecting on the decision, he added, “It felt like it’d be a distraction in the film, and I didn’t want to do it just for the heck of it.” Now, this scrapped cameo has become a tantalizing “what if” for Bollywood enthusiasts.
See Also: Sandeep Reddy Vanga Hits Back At Vikas Divyakirti’s Criticism Of Animal; Says Filmmaking Is Harder Than UPSC