Anurag Kashyap: Honest Filmmaker, Not “Fearless” Director
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap prioritizes authentic cinema over fame.
Anurag Kashyap, the maverick behind Gangs of Wasseypur, rejects the “fearless” label, insisting he’s simply honest in his filmmaking. In an exclusive PTI interview, the 53-year-old director emphasized his commitment to creating authentic cinema over chasing fame or a flashy lifestyle.
“I don’t see myself as fearless. I’m honest about my filmmaking. Do you want to make movies or a lifestyle? Most want fame. I want to keep making movies,” Kashyap said. “People call me courageous because they lack courage. Why should honesty require courage?”
Known for bold films like Satya (writer), Black Friday, Dev D, and Mukkabaaz, Kashyap’s latest, Nishaanchi, a crime drama set in north India, hits theaters this Friday. The film, featuring debutant Aaishvary Thackray in a double role alongside Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Kumud Mishra, and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, marks his return to Hindi heartland storytelling.
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Despite comparisons to Gangs of Wasseypur, Kashyap clarifies, “Nishaanchi is not Wasseypur. It’s a fun film, inspired by 60s and 70s classics like Ram Aur Shyam and Deewaar, blending commercial appeal with deeper meaning.” Written in 2016 alongside Mukkabaaz, the script waited for the right cast and backing from Jar Pictures and Flip Films, produced by Ajay Rai and Ranjan Singh.
Kashyap’s outspokenness on issues like casteism and censorship often grabs headlines, but he fears backlash only when it affects his loved ones or team. “I care about my actors, my collaborators, and cinema itself. I speak about what’s wrong with the industry to warn, not complain. I’ve seen people repeat the same mistakes,” he said.
Recently, Kashyap supported Anuparna Roy’s Songs of Forgotten Trees, which won Best Director at Venice’s Orizzonti section, and presented Manoj Bajpayee’s Jugnuma: The Fable. His own Bandar premiered at Toronto. Crediting producer Ranjan Singh, he said, “I don’t do it alone. Ranjan’s the pillar behind me.”
Frustrated by the industry’s obsession with “hits and formulas,” Kashyap relocated from Bombay to focus on his craft. “You don’t need to live in Bombay to make films. Shoojit Sircar’s in Kolkata, Dibakar Banerjee’s in Himachal. I’ve moved to keep working non-stop,” he said, keeping his new base a mystery.
Though the film world can be overwhelming, Kashyap remains driven. “At times, I want a break, but we don’t have a choice. I’m consumed by cinema,” he admitted. With Nishaanchi, he aims to deliver a story that’s both entertaining and meaningful, staying true to his roots.
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