By – Rohit Dwivedi
Anurag Kashyap, the renowned Bollywood filmmaker, has sparked controversy with his recent comments comparing Bollywood to Malayalam cinema. The director of films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Sacred Games has always been known for his candid statements, and his latest remarks are quickly going viral.
In a recent interview with Gulf News, Anurag expressed his satisfaction with his role in the Malayalam action-thriller Rifle Club, directed by Ashiq Abu. Kashyap, who made his debut in Malayalam cinema, shared how excited he was to be a part of the film, revealing that he contacted the director personally on Instagram to express his interest in working on the project. “When Ashiq Abu announced the film, I immediately went to his Instagram page and wrote, ‘Do you need a Hindi-speaking actor?’ That’s how I became a part of the movie, and I’m really happy with the outcome,” he said.
However, his comments quickly shifted to a comparison between the Malayalam and Bollywood industries, which has garnered significant attention. According to Kashyap, the Malayalam film industry stands apart from Bollywood because it lacks a “star system.” He explained that in Malayalam cinema, there are no vanity vans or isolated stars; instead, actors and crew work together in a collaborative environment. “In Malayalam cinema, there is no star system. No one has their own vanity van. Everyone lives together, interacts, and works as a team,” he said.
Contrasting this with Bollywood, Anurag criticized the “egos” and “arrogance” that, in his view, define the star culture in Hindi cinema. “In Bollywood, stars separate themselves from everyone else. They have an attitude of superiority,” he added.
Kashyap’s comments also touched on the nature of filmmaking in the two industries. He mentioned that a film like Rifle Club would never be made in Bollywood, suggesting that Bollywood would rather create a remake of such a film instead of producing an original work in the same genre. “I don’t think a film like Rifle Club could ever be made in Bollywood. They would prefer to remake it because that’s what they know how to do,” he stated.
Anurag Kashyap’s remarks have ignited a debate about the differences in filmmaking culture between Bollywood and regional cinemas, particularly Malayalam cinema, which has garnered recognition for its strong narratives and collaborative environment. Despite the criticism, Kashyap’s honesty in expressing his views continues to attract attention and spark discussions among both filmmakers and audiences alike.