Kiran Rao's latest film, "Laapataa Ladies," has achieved remarkable success on Netflix, surpassing the viewership of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's "Animal." Despite its small budget and rural setting, Rao's dramedy has garnered 13.8 million views since its debut a month ago. In contrast, "Animal," which premiered in January, managed 13.6 million views in its first three weeks but failed to stay in the top 10 by the fourth week.

"Laapataa Ladies" has not only sustained its position in Netflix's top 10 for a week longer than "Animal," but it has also remained in the top 5 throughout its run. This unexpected performance is likely to stir reactions, especially considering the past feud between the two directors.

The tension between Vanga and Rao dates back to November when Rao commented on the misogynistic elements often depicted in films. Although she did not mention "Animal" directly, Vanga took her remarks personally and retaliated by pointing out similar issues in her ex-husband Aamir Khan’s film "Dil," addressing Rao dismissively as "that woman."

In response to Vanga's comments, Kiran Rao clarified in an interview with The Quint, “I haven’t commented on Mr. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s films because I have not seen them. I have often spoken on misogyny and the representation of women on screen, and I have talked about it on various platforms and at various times. But I have never taken the name of any film because it is not really about the specific films, it is about the issues. I will continue to speak on these issues. So, why Mr. Vanga Reddy has assumed that I am talking about his film, you will have to ask him.”

Rao's latest triumph with "Laapataa Ladies" is a testament to her storytelling prowess and the film's resonant themes, which have clearly struck a chord with audiences. Meanwhile, "Animal" faces the challenge of regaining its momentum on the platform.