Anurag Kashyap, the well-known director of films like Manmarziyaan and Bombay Velvet, is a regular at prestigious film festivals. He admits that he enjoys film festivals because he finds more joy in watching movies of other filmmakers and having rich conversations with fellow directors than waiting for audience reactions to his own films. Kashyap’s content, however, often fails to connect with the Indian audience. According to him, Hindi cinema is heavily controlled by box office numbers, star power, and trade, which hinders experimentation and originality. Kashyap’s films often feature non-A-list stars and offer a fresh perspective, but their reception in India is not always positive.
Kashyap, in a conversation with Indianexpress.com, mentioned that he believes his films don’t resonate with Indian audiences because Hindi cinema follows a fixed template. He feels that the industry’s focus on commercial success restricts artistic freedom and limits the scope for innovative storytelling. Despite his international success and the global appeal of his work, Kashyap believes his stories will always be in Hindi because of his Indian origins. He mentions that if he had been born somewhere else, his life might have been different, but since he was born in India, he will always stick to Hindi cinema. Kashyap also mentions that he avoids Hollywood because he feels that everything, including the culture, is different.
Despite facing challenges in India, Kashyap continues to make independent movies that showcase diversity on the screen. His latest film, Kennedy, starring Sunny Leone, premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and was the closing film at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. While some of his movies have gained popularity and critical acclaim, others have failed to strike a chord with the audience. Kashyap admits that in the past, the reception of his films used to affect him deeply, but he has now learned to move on from disappointments.
Reflecting on his earlier films, Kashyap recalls the struggles he faced with films like Paanch, which never saw the light of day, and Black Friday, which was banned. These experiences pushed him into depression and made him realize the dangers of being attached to the outcome of his movies. Kashyap emphasizes the importance of staying positive and not letting expectations define one’s life. Currently, he has a new script ready and is waiting for Kriti Sanon, who has patiently waited for three years, to return from her vacation.
To read more about Anurag Kashyap’s views on the Indian film industry and his future projects, click on the link above.
