Anurag Kashyap has proven from the very beginning that he is not one to walk up the beaten track at all; he does believe in going where his film takes him-from making a Gangs of Wasseypur to the acclaimed Dev D- his movies boast pop-cult status today, from being once considered entirely niche. Nevertheless, in a recent interview, he revealed his discomfort with the current state of affairs in the films by making an announcement about exiting Mumbai. “It is becoming extremely difficult to experiment within this industry because it has become profit-based margins,” Kashyap told The Hollywood Reporter India.
“Prohibitive to experiment in the industry at this moment; that is how it has become, especially with everything centering around profit and margins.” Even before the filmmaking process begins, the focus shifts to how the film can be marketed and sold. This takes away the joy of creating cinema. That’s why I’ve decided to leave Mumbai next year and move to the South, where I hope to find creative stimulation. Staying here feels stifling, and I fear I’ll grow old and stagnant. I’m deeply disappointed and disheartened by the mindset of this industry.”
Kashyap also criticized the reluctance in Hindi cinema to embrace originality. He cited how films like Manjummel Boys would never be made in the Hindi industry but could be remade instead. According to him, there’s an aversion to taking risks, with most people preferring to replicate what has already succeeded.
He further discussed the challenges of working with actors today, noting that the focus has shifted from acting to stardom. “Dealing with first-generation actors or the highly entitled ones has become exhausting. Nobody wants to focus on their craft—they’re all chasing stardom. Agencies don’t create stars, but once someone becomes a star, they profit off them. As filmmakers, we bear the responsibility of discovering talent and taking risks. But once the film is made, these agencies swoop in, turning the actors into stars. It’s just another publicity generation, not their skills. They send them to the gyms rather than acting workshops. Glamour, glamour, and glamour-all creating a star persona,” he said.
Kashyap threw light on his disillusionment with the industry and felt a need to seek a space that is conducive to creativity as well as innovation.
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