It’s no longer possible to make films like Gangs of Wasseypur fearlessly today: Anurag Kashyap at BIFFES

Filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap says his biggest fear today is not being able to make the kind of cinema he truly believes in. Speaking at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES) 2026 during the Fearless Filmmaking session on Saturday, Anurag said films such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Mukkabaaz would not be made in the current climate. “Gangs of Wasseypur or Mukkabaaz would not have been made today because of the themes I chose to tell those stories with. And even if they were released, they would be heavily censored,” he said.

Anurag also noted that several honest filmmakers are attempting to find ways around censorship. “India is still better, and that gives me hope. If filmmakers can make cinema in Russia and China, we can too,” he said in conversation with critic and writer Baradwaj Rangan. “Movies that spark important conversations will be made in India at some point. We just need to wait,” he said.




‘The OTT format has destroyed the way cinema is experienced’

Cinema, Anurag said, has always been meant for the big screen. However, with the rise of OTT platforms and the convenience they offer, audiences are increasingly consuming films on smaller devices. “When I made Nishaanchi, I envisioned it entirely for the big screen. But times have changed. People now watch films at their convenience. The format has destroyed the way cinema is experienced,” he said. Emphasising the importance of the theatrical experience, he added, “The joy of cinema is watching it on a big screen. You can’t watch Mera Naam Joker or Sholay on a phone. These films are made for the theatre, and it’s a disgrace if they’re watched otherwise.”

‘Reaction to Toxic trailer was blown out of proportion due to social media’s controlled narrative’

Responding to the backlash around the trailer of the upcoming Kannada film Toxic, Kashyap said he enjoyed it and felt the reaction on social media was exaggerated. “When a woman is in control of her sexuality and enjoys it on screen, it becomes a problem. But when male actors do the same, no one says anything,” he said, adding, “Social media controls the narrative, and this was blown out of proportion.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”