Anurag Kashyap opens up on fame, films and staying in the industry
Anurag Kashyap discusses the challenges of stardom and his unexpected journey in cinema. He reflected on how passion and adaptability have sustained his long career in the emerging film industry.
After spending almost three decades in the industry, Kashyap talks to us about the weight that comes with fame and how it can impact an artiste’s creative freedom.
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The actor-filmmaker said, “Taj takes a toll on people. And I think that’s natural too. As an artiste you need a lot of freedom to do whatever you feel like doing. Then you start dieting.”
He highlighted the contradiction of audience expectations when it comes to top stars, saying, “A lot of the top stars, the audience doesn’t want to see them any other way, but the audience doesn’t even know how they want to see them. They don’t want to see them the same way and not the other way.”
On choosing cinema and jumping
Anurag Kashyap also saw a turning point in his life – his decision to pursue cinema. He shared that after completing his graduation, he discovered films almost out of nowhere and immediately knew that this was the path he wanted to pursue. Acting on that impulse, he left for Mumbai without hesitation, clear about his choice and unwilling to wait.
Interestingly, cinema entered Anurag Kashyap’s life later than expected. He shared that at the age of 18, while he was on a completely different path and even wanted to be a scientist, everything changed after attending a film festival. Watching those films made him realize, “This is what I want to do,” and within a few days, he was in Mumbai, ready to begin his journey.
On survival, passion and staying relevant
When asked whether he would be able to survive in today’s industry, Anurag Kashyap was confident. Recalling his early struggles, he said he “lived life on the streets”, focusing on films, adding, “I can survive anywhere at any time.” Over the years, he learned many skills – from acting to editing – to stay connected with cinema.
Despite the changing dynamics of the industry, his passion remains unchanged. “I love movies. It’s not going to end,” he said. He also mentioned his interest in teaching in film schools.
On acting, Kashyap said that he takes it as a task, especially in another language, but makes sure he does it well. He said that the experience becomes more enjoyable when he shares a good equation with his team.
He also stressed the importance of choosing the right partners and said he now prefers to work with people he trusts or is recommended.