Anurag Kashyap Talks About the Difference Between Bollywood and Malayalam Cinema
Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who recently appeared in the Malayalam film Rifle Club, shared his views on the contrast between the film industries of Bollywood and Malayalam cinema. During his discussion, he highlighted the collaborative atmosphere in Malayalam cinema, which he feels is often absent in Bollywood.
Learning from Malayalam Cinema
In an interview with Gulf News, Anurag spoke about his experience while working in Malayalam cinema. He said, “I learned so much from the way they work. Unlike Bollywood, they don’t have huge vanity vans. The focus is completely on the film.” He added, “I brought that same attitude back to my own films in Bombay.”
Challenges of Making Bold Films in Bollywood
When asked about bringing stories like Rifle Club to Bollywood, Anurag revealed the challenges he faces in Hindi cinema. He said, “Hindi cinema lacks the courage to tell stories like this. Whenever I try to make such films, I am discouraged.”
He further explained, “In Hindi cinema, the focus is all on making huge box-office numbers, like Rs 1,000 crore. They are obsessed with commercial success.” Anurag believes this obsession with formulaic films is damaging cinema. “It’s become impossible to make original films,” he added.
The Struggle to Make Original Films in Hindi Cinema
When asked if he could make an original film in Hindi, Anurag responded, “They won’t let me. They always say, ‘We’re not sure if it will work because there’s no reference for it.’” He continued, “It’s hard to make something original if there’s no example of it.”
How Anurag Got Involved in Rifle Club
Anurag also shared an interesting story about how he landed his role in Rifle Club. He revealed that he reached out to producer Aashiq Abu directly via Instagram. “I love Malayalam cinema and wanted to be a part of it,” Anurag said. He further explained, “When they announced the film, I went to Aashiq Abu’s Instagram page and simply wrote, ‘Do you need a Hindi-speaking actor?’ That’s how it all started.”
About Rifle Club
Rifle Club is a Malayalam action thriller that released in theatres on December 19, 2024. The film is directed and produced by Aashiq Abu, who is known for his work on Virus. The movie stars Vijayaraghavan, Dileesh Pothan, Anurag Kashyap, Vani Viswanath, and rapper Hanumankind in prominent roles. Read More…