Anurag Kashyap stands as an unconventional figure in the Bollywood film industry, consistently championing the work of emerging talent and independent filmmakers. Throughout his illustrious career, he’s rarely associated himself with big-name celebrities, choosing to cast newcomers or lesser-known actors instead. Notably, his only collaboration with A-list stars occurred in 2015, when he directed the period crime drama “Bombay Velvet,” featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma in lead roles.
In a recent interview, Kashyap was posed with a variety of questions, one of which asked him to identify the “marketing genius” in Bollywood. Without hesitation, Kashyap named Katrina Kaif, even though he has never worked directly with her. This came from second-hand information; he had heard from industry colleagues that Kaif possesses remarkable marketing acumen.
During that same interview, Kashyap was queried about Ranbir Kapoor’s strengths as an actor. He effusively praised Kapoor’s skills, calling him a “fantastic actor.” However, Kashyap also admitted to being perplexed by Kapoor’s choices in film roles, expressing uncertainty as to the criteria Kapoor employs when selecting projects. Nevertheless, he emphasized that Ranbir Kapoor’s talent is so formidable that it guarantees him a lasting place in the industry, whether his films succeed or fail.
When the topic of Kashyap’s own films came up, particularly the question of their resonance with Indian audiences, he gave an insightful answer. According to him, the Bollywood landscape is primarily driven by star power and box office numbers. He mentioned his own critically acclaimed project, “Gangs of Wasseypur,” which despite receiving high praise, was pulled from theaters within nine days of its release to make way for a blockbuster film, “Ek Tha Tiger,” starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
In a recent interview, Kashyap was posed with a variety of questions, one of which asked him to identify the “marketing genius” in Bollywood. Without hesitation, Kashyap named Katrina Kaif, even though he has never worked directly with her. This came from second-hand information; he had heard from industry colleagues that Kaif possesses remarkable marketing acumen.
During that same interview, Kashyap was queried about Ranbir Kapoor’s strengths as an actor. He effusively praised Kapoor’s skills, calling him a “fantastic actor.” However, Kashyap also admitted to being perplexed by Kapoor’s choices in film roles, expressing uncertainty as to the criteria Kapoor employs when selecting projects. Nevertheless, he emphasized that Ranbir Kapoor’s talent is so formidable that it guarantees him a lasting place in the industry, whether his films succeed or fail.
When the topic of Kashyap’s own films came up, particularly the question of their resonance with Indian audiences, he gave an insightful answer. According to him, the Bollywood landscape is primarily driven by star power and box office numbers. He mentioned his own critically acclaimed project, “Gangs of Wasseypur,” which despite receiving high praise, was pulled from theaters within nine days of its release to make way for a blockbuster film, “Ek Tha Tiger,” starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
Kashyap highlighted that this decision was not a result of any star or producer’s influence, but rather the theater owners prioritizing a big film. Kashyap went on to discuss a significant issue facing Indian cinema—the scarcity of theaters, especially in the northern regions. This, he asserted, is a key factor hindering the success of films like his own that may not have A-list stars but offer compelling narratives and quality filmmaking.
