Anurag Kashyap refers to fan bases as “fanatics” and explains why celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan must look out for them.
One of the few filmmakers, Anurag Kashyap, never holds back while offering his opinion on a subject. He recently revealed what has changed in him as a director and spoke candidly about the new crop of stars on OTT. When Kashyap first entered the area, he believed he would change the world, but now he would advise that young boy that such things develop naturally and that one should concentrate on one’s work.
Kashyap most recently appeared in the Nawazuddin-starring movie Haddi, and the director also produced the too ambitious movie Bombay Velvet, which bombed at the box office. The movie, which starred Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor, sparked a connection between the gangs of wasseypur director and karan johar
Anurag Kashyap, however, discusses the star system and how the fan dynamics play a significant impact in what films they choose and what works when explaining why the movie did not succeed. “Though I came here to make films, there was a time when I succumbed to it (the habit of chasing stars),” the director admitted in a conversation with Puja Talwar. “Imagine what you will do with stars,” everyone kept saying as they watched me work. When the tide starts to go the other way, the slide begins. The stars are met with anticipation.
When asked about the stars in his films No Smoking and Bombay Velvet, the filmmaker responded, “If you don’t work with a star and cater to their following, they will cancel you. Additionally, because I was producing my own movie, my movie was indeed cancelled. I don’t try to win over anyone’s friends or supporters.
But when asked if he hopes to collaborate with big-name actors like Salman Khan or Shah Rukh Khan, Anurag Kashyap has a good reason why it is not within his power to do so. With celebrities like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, the director argued, “They cannot neglect their fan base. Even when they are experimenting or having fun, they give it a lot of thought because they know that if their fan communities are offended, they would respond severely. They pursue everybody. Salman Khan supporters pursued director Kabir Khan after Tubelight. The director is currently in the game. I have experienced it. I fear the worse.
He continued, “We are driven by hero worship. Stars will remain stars. OTT has equalised the game by throwing OTT stars. A Pankaj Tripathi can lead a film. Nawazuddin can lead. Those things have happened
Anurag Kashyap’s next acting roles will be in the Tamil films Leo and One 2 One. Kennedy, a film he directed, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and has since been screening at various film festivals.
