Anurag Kashyap is celebrated for revolutionizing Bollywood with his bold, gritty storytelling. Known for critically acclaimed films like “Gangs of Wasseypur” and “Black Friday,” Kashyap’s unique vision and fearless approach have made him a standout figure in Indian cinema.
Never one to hold back, has some spicy takes on the current state of Bollywood. In an unfiltered chat with Humans of Cinema, the ace filmmaker dished out some harsh truths about the industry’s obsession with box office numbers and its impact on creative storytelling.
The Curse of Commercial Success
Kashyap didn’t mince words when he slammed the industry for prioritizing profit over quality. “I have often seen that success destroys more than it breeds,” he said, reflecting on how the blockbuster success of films like Sairat set a problematic precedent. “ I told Nagraj Manjule, who is my friend, that Marathi cinema is now finished. Because now no one will want to tell stories, they would want to earn ?100 crore.”
Diving deeper into the industry’s woes, Kashyap criticized the trend of chasing pan-India appeal at the expense of originality. “The problem with our Hindi film industry is that they now want to earn Rs. 500 to 800 crore, not make films. For that, you have to first dumb down your films, and sacrifice your story. And it’s not like it is an original voice; all follow a formula and copy each other. Now everyone is imitating the pan-India trend. If you watch 10 pan-India films, all will look the same. This never benefits the health of the industry as the films then start to bomb in huge numbers. One or two will work, then everyone will copy, and then everything will flop.”
Anurag Kashyap’s Cinematic Legacy
With a filmography that’s both bold and eclectic, Kashyap has never been one to follow the crowd. His impressive roster includes Dev D, No Smoking, Gulaal, Gangs of Wasseypur, Mukkabaaz, Sacred Games, and Manmarziyaan. His latest gem, Kennedy, recently wowed audiences at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The neo-noir thriller, starring Rahul Bhat, Sunny Leone, Abhilash Thapliyal, and Mohit Takalkar, received a standing ovation, a testament to Kashyap’s unique storytelling prowess.
On the work front, the director is now all set to embrace his dark side in Vijay Sethupathi’s Tamil crime action-thriller Maharaja. Knowing his knack for captivating narratives, we can’t wait to see what he brings to the table next.
Also Read: Anurag Kashyap Reveals Why He Hasn’t Worked With Shah Rukh Khan: The Fanbase Fear Factor
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