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Last Updated: March 05, 2025, 23:32 IST
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap Departs from Bollywood, Citing a ‘Toxic’ Atmosphere
Renowned director Anurag Kashyap has made the decision to step away from Bollywood, characterizing the industry as “toxic” and overly focused on box office success. In a candid discussion with The Hindu, Kashyap shared that he has left Mumbai, expressing profound dissatisfaction with the current state of the Hindi film industry.
“I aim to distance myself from the film community. The atmosphere here has become excessively toxic. There’s an obsession with reaching unrealistic financial milestones, like aiming for Rs 500 or Rs 800 crore films. The creative spirit has vanished,” he remarked.
Reports suggest that Kashyap may have relocated to Bangalore. This move comes after his previous statements indicating a desire to explore opportunities within South Indian cinema, where he hopes to find a more enriching creative environment.
In December, Kashyap expressed his frustration to The Hollywood Reporter India, stating that he felt “disgusted” and “disappointed” by the pressures in the industry, which often force filmmakers to place commercial viability above their artistic expression.
“I look at South Indian filmmakers with envy. It’s increasingly challenging for me to experiment with my work because doing so has financial implications that make my producers focus solely on profitability. They keep asking, ‘Where are my margins? Am I losing money?’ I feel boxed in, as the joy of making films is overshadowed by the need to sell them right from the outset. This is why I feel the need to leave Mumbai. I’ll be moving out next year,” he explained.
Despite his shift away from Bollywood, Kashyap continues to engage with cinema projects. He is currently involved in the promotion of “Footage,” a Malayalam thriller directed by Saiju Sreedharan that he is presenting. The film, which features notable actors such as Manju Warrier, Vishak Nair, and Gayathri Ashok, was released in August and is set to debut its Hindi version on March 7, 2025.
Additionally, Kashyap will appear in the upcoming film “Dacoit,” portraying a courageous police officer. This bilingual project, filmed in both Hindi and Telugu, stars Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur in prominent roles. The release date for this film is yet to be announced.
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