Bollywood actor-director Anurag Kashyap recently shared his unfiltered views on cinema, politics and changing audience behaviour during a discussion titled Fearless Film Making at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival. The session was moderated by film critic Baradwaj Rangan.Reflecting on how the climate around filmmaking has changed over the years, Kashyap admitted that the kind of films that once defined his career may no longer be possible today. “In today’s times, making films like Gangs of Wasseypur or Black Friday is impossible. Some subjects have become politically sensitive and lead to controversies,” he said.
‘Indian directors should draw inspiration from Iranian and Russian filmmakers’
Urging Indian filmmakers to look beyond borders, Kashyap pointed out how directors in other countries continue to tell bold stories despite harsher conditions. “Directors from countries like Iran or Russia are making films despite facing far greater restrictions than us. Indian directors should draw inspiration from them,” he noted.
On Dhurandhar : ‘Courageous film, but some ideologies felt unnecessary’
Talking about the recently released film Dhurandhar, Kashyap praised its intent while also expressing reservations about certain creative choices. “This is a good example of a courageous mainstream film. I liked the film, but I didn’t like some of the ideologies,” he said.He added that certain political insertions could have been avoided. “The dialogue about ‘This is the new India’ and one long political monologue, among a total of three scenes, were unnecessary; even without them, the film’s impact would not have diminished.”
‘Calling films propaganda is also propaganda’
Weighing in on the frequent labelling of films as propaganda, Kashyap argued that the term itself is often misused. “Calling films ‘propaganda’ or ‘promotion’ is itself a form of propaganda,” he remarked.Drawing a comparison with Hollywood, he added, “Hollywood’s Marvel films propagate American supremacy, but no one criticises them from that perspective.”
On Toxic teaser backlash: ‘Our cultural hypocrisy is exposed’
Kashyap also addressed the outrage surrounding the teaser of the Kannada film Toxic, calling it an extremely brave attempt. “The outrage expressed against the teaser reveals our cultural hypocrisy,” he said.Expressing disappointment over the double standards, he added, “When male actors appear shirtless on screen or display excessive machismo, no one questions it. But when a woman celebrates her sexuality, it becomes hard to accept.”
Anurag Kashyap to produce Ghachar Ghochar adaptation
Sharing an exciting update, Kashyap revealed that he is producing a Kannada film adaptation of celebrated writer Vivek Shanbhag’s novel Ghachar Ghochar. “The film is currently in the scripting stage and will later be made in Hindi as well,” he said, adding that details about the director and cast will be announced soon.
‘Attention spans have changed because of technology’
Commenting on evolving viewing habits, Kashyap observed that audiences today increasingly watch films on their mobile phones, making it harder for slow-paced narratives to hold attention. “This is the result of changes in technology, not the fault of the audience,” he analysed.
On political cinema: ‘Everything requires its own time’
Responding to questions about political films and resistance, Kashyap offered a historical perspective. “In Germany, films against Hitler came only after Hitler died. Everything requires its own time,” he said, underlining his belief that cinema often reflects society in hindsight rather than in the moment.
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