Anurag Kashyap reveals why ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ style films are impossible now: 'Political scenario has changed'

Anurag Kashyap once shook Hindi cinema to its core, the director audiences depend on to mix things up. His brave, bold films made people stare down ugly truths they wanted to dodge. These days, he admits the industry that backed those stories has evolved so far that recreating that vibe feels out of the question.Anurag Kashyap on no more bold classicsIn a candid Galatta Plus interview, Anurag revealed why he's stepped away from making movies like ‘Ugly’, ‘Dev.D’, or ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’. Viewers often ask him about it, assuming it's his personal decision, but he clarified it's out of his hands. “Today, when I make films, I get things like, why don’t I make a film like Ugly, or Dev.D, or even Gangs of Wasseypur. The thing is, I can’t make it. It won’t pass. It won’t clear the censors. The political scenario has changed. Censorship has changed. Everything has changed. Plus, it’s being run by corporates. Everything is being run by people who don’t have skin in the game," he stated. Anurag Kashyap on lost unity against censorsKashyap recalled an era when directors banded together to challenge censors, highlighting the ‘Udta Punjab’ controversy as a prime example of unified pushback from artists. That friendship, he observed, has dissolved, making filmmakers more hesitant and solitary today. Turning to South Indian cinema, he expressed respect for its ongoing embrace of risky, low-cost narratives, crediting the producers who stand behind them.Anurag Kashyap praising South Indian cinemaThe filmmaker said, “Why Tamil cinema is great? Why is Malayalam cinema great? Why is Telugu cinema also constantly innovating? They also have these new, low-budget films, I’m not talking about the big ones. I’m talking about films like The Girlfriend, Court: State vs. a Nobody types of films. They’re low-budget, right? Why are they flying? I’m saying it’s because the producer has skin in the game. It’s the old school, where people invested in cinema are producing films. This is not true in Hindi cinema."Anurag Kashyap on Shah Rukh Khan dream collaboration Fans have been rooting for Anurag Kashyap to direct Shah Rukh Khan. To this Kashyap said no, sounding tired. “No, I can’t. Because his fan base is huge. Even if he agrees to adhere to my sensibilities, I still can’t do it, because what happens is, when there is a massive fan base, if you disappoint them, they will murder the director."Anurag Kashyap's last appearance Anurag Kashyap's was last seen in the film 'Saali Mohabbat' directed by Tisca Chopra, starring Radhika Apte as housewife Smita, Anurag Kashyap as gangster Gajendra, and Divyendu Sharma as cop Ratan. Amid debt, abuse, and an affair with her cousin, murders unfold in a tale of betrayal and revenge. Premiered at IFFI 2024; streamed on ZEE5 from Dec 12.