Anurag Kashyap Discusses the Changing Landscape of Indian Cinema

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is renowned for his candid approach to discussing censorship and creative freedom in cinema. In a recent interview, he reflected on the significant transformation within the filmmaking landscape over the last decade.

The Inability to Create Iconic Films

Kashyap addressed questions regarding why he refrains from making films like Ugly, Dev.D, or Gangs of Wasseypur. He provided a straightforward answer:

“Today, when I make films, I get asked why I don’t create something like Ugly or Gangs of Wasseypur. The truth is, I can’t. They simply won’t clear censorship,” he explained to Galatta Plus.

He further elaborated on the overarching changes in the filmmaking ecosystem:

“The political scenario has changed. Censorship has changed. Everything has changed. Plus, it’s being run by corporates—people who don’t have skin in the game.”

‘Producers in the South Have Skin in the Game’

Kashyap made a notable distinction between Hindi cinema and the South Indian film industries, praising the latter for their innovative spirit. He asked:

“Why is Tamil cinema great? Why is Malayalam cinema constantly innovating?”

He wasn’t referring to high-budget productions but to the success of low-budget films such as The Girlfriend and Court: State vs. a Nobody.

“These films thrive because the producer has a stake in the game. The older model where people invested in cinema is still prevalent there, which is not the case in Hindi cinema,” he asserted.

Why Anurag Kashyap Won’t Direct a Shah Rukh Khan Film

When questioned about the possibility of directing Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Kashyap was forthright:

“No, I can’t. His fan base is enormous. Even if he aligns with my sensibilities, I still can’t do it. Disappointing a massive fan base could be disastrous for a director.”

Upcoming Projects

Anurag Kashyap is preparing for the release of his new film Bandar, which stars Bobby Deol. The film recently premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).