The last few years have been quite evolutionary for Indian cinema with pan-Indian films becoming the new norm and artists from all over the country crossing over to different industries. Recently, Alia Bhatt made her South debut with RRR, and this year we have many South actors coming in Hindi films as well. The one that I am most excited about is the national crush, Rashmika Mandanna and this morning my excitement just got tripled as it was announced that she has bagged her third project in Hindi, even before the release of her debut Hindi film.

The makers of the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Animal took to social media today to announce this newest addition to the film’s cast that also features Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol. Rashmika has now been finalised as the female lead in this Sandeep Reddy Vanga‘s directorial that explores the dark side of human personality through a troubled relationship between a father and son, played by Anil and Ranbir respectively.

Check out the announcement here:

On the auspicious occasion of Ugadi & Gudi Padwa, we welcome @iamRashmika to the team of #Animal!
Shooting begins this summer.@AnilKapoor #RanbirKapoor @thedeol @imvangasandeep #BhushanKumar @VangaPranay @MuradKhetani #KrishanKumar @anilandbhanu pic.twitter.com/BeNEQj6nyL

— T-Series (@TSeries) April 2, 2022

The crime drama had piqued my interest ever since its inception as the gory voice over by Ranbir in the film’s title announcement had just sent chills down my spine. The film will go on floors this summer and is eyeing a release of August 11, 2023. Animal is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar‘s T-Series, Murad Khetani‘s Cine1 Studios and Pranay Reddy Vanga‘s Bhadrakali Pictures.

The role that has been taken by Rashmika was earlier supposed to be done by Parineeti Chopra. I was excited to see Ranbir and Parineeti together on screen for the first time, but even this fresh pairing has made me curious. Rashmika already has her debut Hindi film Mission Majnu up for release. She is currently shooting for her second Hindi film, Goodbye, with Amitabh Bachchan and now Animal. This actress has surely taken Bollywood by storm even before her first on screen appearance and I can only imagine the magic she will create once she is on the 70 mm.