Anurag Kashyap says Indian theaters 'destroy' the movie-watching experience
What's the story
Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who has made immense contributions to independent cinema in India, recently opened up regarding the present condition of the industry. He said he wasn't sure where it was headed, during an interview at the ongoing Berlin Film Festival. "I'm not Nostradamus," he said candidly, adding that he is finding a way forward, even though he doesn't know what's ahead.
Industry insights
Kashyap's critique of Indian cinema experience and future outlook
Kashyap expressed his worries over the trend where audiences only rush to theaters for big-budget films, while smaller ones are ignored until they release on OTT. He said, "I have stopped looking into the future... I can talk about the problems that I face, or that other filmmakers face." "I watch films at festivals because I hate interruptions caused by intervals back home... It destroys my movie-watching experience."
Passionate perseverance
'I know I want to make films all my life'
Despite the challenges, Kashyap remains resilient and committed to his craft. He said, "What if everything goes wrong, what if everything fails? I'll go back to exactly where I came from." "I have an absolute love for cinema, and that is regardless... I know that I want to make films all my life." He also expressed his support for other filmmakers with unique voices as he believes their presence will ensure his longevity in the industry.
Career update
Kashyap's recent work and unreleased film
Kashyap is currently busy with the production of Tiger's Pond, a Kannada-language film that recently debuted at the Berlin Film Festival. However, his last directorial venture, Kennedy, still remains unreleased despite premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. This has resulted in a hiatus in Kashyap's directorial career as he hasn't directed any films since.