Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has once again addressed long-standing perceptions around his relationship with Karan Johar, revisiting the narrative that emerged after their collaboration on Bombay Velvet. In a candid conversation with Screen, Kashyap spoke about how public perception shaped the discourse around the film and, in turn, his professional association with Johar.
Reflecting on the contrasting images both filmmakers carried at the time, Kashyap explained why audiences struggled to accept the collaboration. “People saw me and Karan as rivals, as two different ends of a spectrum. Him doing that film was also kind of disappointing for many people. A lot of those who used to follow my work felt that I had sold out, that I was making a film with a star and with Karan Johar involved. Whatever it was, that became the story from then on, and it still persists. Even now, people say that my downfall happened because I ‘shook hands’ with Karan. And I’m like, what do you mean by shaking hands? We did a film together.”
Kashyap also came out in strong defence of Johar’s acting performance in Bombay Velvet, a role that has often been self-deprecatingly mocked by Johar himself and others in the industry. Countering that perception, Kashyap said, “He was very natural for the role. He doesn’t believe it, but I think he was fantastic with what he did there. But unfortunately, the film didn’t work.” He acknowledged that while the film failed to meet expectations, it shouldn’t overshadow the individual efforts that went into it.
Addressing where their relationship stands today, Kashyap offered an honest assessment of the emotional distance that followed the film’s outcome. “We don’t meet often. Whenever we meet, we just hug and greet each other. And at the beginning, I just didn’t know how to face them because they had given me a lot of trust and love. And I was dealing with my own demons. So, I needed to come out of that and make a very small film. I was very focused on Raman Raghav. But slowly, I think, we became distant.”
The filmmaker’s remarks underline how Bombay Velvet became more than just a box office disappointment, evolving into a symbolic moment that shaped industry narratives around creative alliances. Despite the distance, Kashyap’s comments suggest there is no animosity—only the after-effects of expectations, personal struggles and a film that failed to find its audience.
Once again, Kashyap’s reflections offer insight into how public perception can redefine professional relationships in Bollywood, long after the cameras stop rolling.
Also Read: Anurag Kashyap on the year that was, “We were sad about Nishaanchi but…”
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