"Acting is not my cup of tea" - Anurag Kashyap 
By Esha Razdan, June 7, 2008 - 14:55 IST
Without mincing words, one can categorically say that this filmmaker may not be at par of the Johars and the Bhansalis of Bollywood, but he is indeed one of the front-runners of filmmaking in the tinsel town. We are talking about none other than the maker of Black Friday himself Anurag Kashyap! He can rightly be called as the Jack of all trades in Bollywood, as, time and again he has proved that he is an equal pro hand at not just writing scripts and screenplays, but also direction. If that was not enough, then, his unconventional looks has bagged him roles in various upcoming films!
Anurag Kashyap, in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, talks about the ups and downs in his career and the excitement with which he looks forward to the great year ahead!
Such a prolifically creative filmmaker like you has almost three films lined up as an actor! Why this sudden shift towards acting?
Acting is not my cup of tea. I am happy the way my career is shaping up in the direction arena. Honestly, it's only out of goodwill and 'emotional blackmail' by people like Tigmanshu Dhulia and Sudhir Mishra (whom I really look upto), that I gave positive nods to their films. Trust me when I say that I was fed up (laughs) because things, which were promised to get finished within few days, actually took as long 12 days to wrap up.
What is your character in Shagird?
I play Bunty Bhaiya, a supari chewing uneducated rustic gangster from UP. He is an aggressive emotional fool who becomes a victim of politics.
This year seems to be proving lucky for you since the stay on your film Gulaal has been lifted.
Gulaal was stalled due to Jhamuji's (Jhamu Sughandh) health and other issues, but things seem to be looking good ahead since the film is been taken over by Zee Motion Pictures. And by the grace of God, I shall be completing the film by next month. Well…Gulaal is a story based on a song, 'Yeh Mahaloan Yeh Thakhton Yeh Tajon Ki Duniya' from the film Pyasa and that's dedicated to Sahir Ludhianvi. The film will showcase an independent India through the eyes of famous poets, Sahil and Majrooh Sultanpuri, post independence period with the backdrop of unrest. Gulaal epitomizes the colour of emotional violence.
Gulaal is a story based on a song, Pyasa 'Yeh Mahaloan Yeh Thakhton Yeh Tajo Ki Duniya' from Pyasa and dedicated to Sahir Ludhianvi.
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Dev D, your other film happens to be the modern day description of the novel 'Devdas'. Tell us about your perception of modern 'Devdas'?
Dev D is neither based on 'Devdas' nor is it the remake of Devdas. In fact, interestingly, I have picked up real-life characters from the newspapers, which resemble the characters from the novel 'Devdas' and put them together in a story. Devdas is no longer referred as a novel but has become an adjective now. And how a character resembling Devdas would react in the contemporary times is what Dev D tries to convey. Devdas, in present times does not need a letter to express his emotions to Paro. In fact, he is just a phone call away from her. Besides, the love angle in the story, the film also highlights the dimensions added to these characters as to what are they looking for in life.
Are you satisfied with the way your 'perception' has shaped up, considering the fact that you have taken a leap from unconventional to mainstream cinema?
I always desired to make a love story, but mind you, Dev D is not an ordinary love story and can not be categorized in the list of mainstream cinema. Dev D, though a love story, is yet again a part of unconventional cinema but made in an understandable mainstream format unlike No Smoking, where my audience kept figuring out the story (laughs). I am extremely proud of my film and have come out really well. I hope that I manage to put across the idea behind my making this film to audience.
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Dev D, though a love story is yet again a part of unconventional cinema but made in an understandable mainstream format unlike No Smoking where my audience kept figuring out the story.
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In one of your recent interviews, you said that the audience has overestimated you. Do you think that's the reason for the debacle of No Smoking?
Well...I have always perceived my audience to be intelligent. However, with an unconventional look and tag line No Smoking seemed to be conveying the message of no smoking, which was not what it was supposed to be. Honestly, I don't think anything went wrong with the film…I churned out the film exactly the way I had perceived it. However, yes, I know I have not lived upto the expectations of my audience something which I hope to this time with Dev D.
How is Abhay Deol as an actor? Has he lived up to your expectations, considering the fact that playing a modern Devdas is not a cakewalk?
Abhay Deol has surpassed my expectations. He is one of the finest actors today who is extremely intelligent and is willing to push boundaries. We would have heated arguments on the sets. I would get bowled over his inquisitiveness about the character every time he entered the frame. He seeped into the character so easily and beautifully which makes him class apart considering the time span of his career so far. However, his deluge of questions would annoy me at times that would lead to long silence when we would not speak for long time.
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Abhay Deol has surpassed my expectations.
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Paanch is yet another controversial film of yours…what is the status of the film?
I have no idea about what's happening on that front (laughs). Honestly, I have moved on so much in my career since I made the film eight years ago that now I don't feel any kind of connection with the film. I really would wish the release of this film soon as it will showcase Kay Kay Menon in his best ever performance.
Coming back to your acting career, how was it working Zoya Akhtar in Luck By chance? What is this film all about?
Frankly speaking, I have no clue about the story. Well…I play a Bollywood based writer.
Tell us about your character in Tera Kya Hoga Johnny? Sudhir Mishra is considered as a veteran and intelligent director. Didn't your ideas clash while shooting?
Well, no not at all. I don't have a habit of flooding the director with questions like Abhay (laughs). I blindly follow what director says. Moreover, even if I had a slightest inclination towards acting, I would have been no less than Abhay (laughs again). And, in Tera Kya Hoga Johnny again, I play a sophisticated gangster wearing expensive jackets unlike 'kurta' and 'kajal' in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Shagird.
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In Tera Kya Hoga Johnny again, I play a sophisticated gangster wearing expensive jackets unlike 'kurta' and 'kajal' in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Shagird.
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What is the status of Mumbai Cutting? There was a buzz of you directing the film.
Well…Mumbai cutting is based on the life of a boy living in juvenile court. Its foundation lies in a play featured on Naseeruddin Shah as one of the artists. And, now I am making a short film out of it which also throws light on life style of street children.
What's your take on the trend of blogging in Bollywood? There was a buzz that you have stopped writing Blogs, what's the reason?
Oh! It's nice to see celebrities mingling with their fans. Earlier, in 70's and 80's, celebrities were treated like God. And today fans are aware of everything pertaining to their favourite stars. Well…as far as my career in blogging is concerned, after a deep introspection post release of No Smoking, I felt I needed to keep a low-profile and lower down my emotional quotient which had touched the sky. However, yes, I shall get back to it soon.
What do you have say about the deluge of newcomers stepping into Bollywood this year?
I just can't say much about others but yes, the two newcomers I am really looking forward to are Aamir's nephew Imran and Harry Sir's son Harman. I have known both Imran and Harman since a very long time. The best part about both of them is their technical experience in the industry. While Imran has made some brilliant short films, Harman has assisted directors behind the cameras.
You are turning producer with the production banner 'Proper Ganja Films. What's the status on that front?
Nothing much is really happening on that front. I worked as creative producer in Raj Kumar Gupta's Aamir. I must say it's a flawless effort made by a sincere newcomer (Director). I can say that with full conviction that Aamir is 20 times better than my debut film. I can't wait for the responses of audience to this film.
Lastly, where do you see yourself five years from now?
Well, I am terrified with the thought of making my kind of films with other producers after No Smoking. I feel very delighted to see M. F Hussain making his kind of cinema under his own production banner. So, I would, by the grace of God, be making films with my own money.
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Anurag Kashyap finds his heroines for Dev.D
