Anurag Kashyap, famous for his unconventional and unconventional Bollywood films, recently expressed his increasing frustration with the working conditions within the industry. Perturbed by what he terms as a poisonous culture, Kashyap decided to quit Mumbai and make his home in South India. Talking freely to The Hindu, he underscored that the focus of the industry on money has overshadowed imagination and artistic freedom, prompting him to look for a more serene and less stressful environment.
Bollywood’s Number Obsession
The industry’s constant pursuit of blockbuster hits that gross more than Rs 800 crore, Kashyap says, has generated an unhealthy, competitive environment. He conveyed that this commercial orientation has snuffed out the creative spirit of Bollywood. The stress of fulfilling such financial requirements, he thinks, has given rise to an environment where actual artistic expression comes second to making market-driven choices.
A New Beginning in South India
Having bid adieu to Mumbai, Kashyap has now made Bangalore his home, where he is looking forward to a new beginning. The award-winning director, who has given us hits like Gangs of Wasseypur and Sacred Games, has also shown interest in venturing into the Malayalam and Tamil film industries in the future. His relocation to South India is also a fresh chapter in his professional life since he intends to branch out into more than Bollywood and explore the regional cinema market, which provides him with greater scope for imagination.
South India: A Different Approach
During his chat, Kashyap also threw light on how Bollywood and South Indian cinema differed. He applauded the humility of South Indian stars and their practical attitude, which contrasts with Bollywood stars’ over-inflated egos. He noted how even the South Indian superstars stay down to earth, while Bollywood stars keep insisting on being given “star treatment.”
Anurag Kashyap’s observation of the “fucking circus” in Mumbai reflects his increasingly disillusioned opinion of Bollywood, but his recent sojourn in South India promises a creative shift. Moving to Bangalore and experimenting with local cinema may initiate a more fulfilling professional trajectory.
