In an exclusive chat at mid-day’s Sit With Hitlist, Anurag Kashyap spoke about moving to Bengaluru to boost creativity, praised Malayalam filmmaking, and revealed the creative struggles behind Nishaanchi
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap has moved from Mumbai to Bengaluru, citing the “toxic” environment in Bollywood and the industry’s growing focus on profits over creativity. The filmmaker said the move has improved his creativity and praised the art of Malayalam filmmaking. He further shares how everyone is striving to be a hero in Hindi films, because of which he had to change Nishaanchi’s ending.
Anurag Kashyap on moving to Bengaluru
Speaking about his decision to relocate, Kashyap said that the move has helped him focus better on writing and filmmaking. In a conversation with midday’s Sit With Hitlist, he said, “I moved out of Bombay, but not out of Hindi films. I will make films. But it is easier to make films from there because I am writing so much. I am happy. I have a routine. I will get up, do my morning things, go for a walk, have coffee, and exercise. I write six to eight hours every day.”
He added that on days when the writing goes well, he treats himself to watching a film. Interestingly, the filmmaker revealed that he now prefers watching South Indian cinema over Hindi films.
Kashyap also praised the storytelling style of Malayalam cinema. He stated how Fahadh Faasil learnt acting and became a superstar. He even pointed out how actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty are presented in a way that connects with the audience. He adds, “It doesn't matter if they make something like Lokah. But they make it so local and real. You can't do it here.”
Anurag Kashyap on Nishaanchi
The filmmaker also spoke about the creative struggles he faced while working on Nishaanchi. “Everyone wants to be a hero here. I went through that with Nishaanchi. I started with big actors. Every actor wanted to change the end,” he revealed. He added that filmmaker R Balki had suggested turning the story into a series.
Kashyap said that if it were entirely up to him, the film might have been even longer. “If I had my way, I would not even have had two parts. But cinema did not want a five-hour film. Cinema didn't want to take a chance. I was very clear that the pacing of the film would not change based on what everybody says. Authenticity was very important to me.”
The filmmaker also noted that making such a story might have been easier in other film industries. “It would have been far easier anywhere. We tried to just tell a saga, a story of a family. It was totally inspired by Leo Tolstoy and Crime and Punishment. It wasn't meant to be a gangster film,” he said.
However, Kashyap admitted that the massive success of his earlier film Gangs of Wasseypur continues to shape audience expectations. “But the ghost of Wasseypur is so big, and the shadow is so big, that I am not able to get out of it,” he concluded.
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