‘Bollywood Doesn’t Have Brains’: Anurag Kashyap Slams Hindi Film Industry, Praises Pushpa
Celebrated filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has once again taken a sharp jab at the Hindi film industry, criticising its inability to produce films on par with regional cinema hits like Pushpa: The Rise and its sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kashyap expressed his discontent with Bollywood’s creative stagnation and reluctance to take risks.
The outspoken director said, “They don’t understand anything. They can’t even make a Pushpa. They don’t have the brains to make a film. They don’t understand what filmmaking is. Pushpa can only be made by Sukumar. In the South, they invest in filmmakers and empower them. Here, everyone is trying to create a universe. Do they even understand their own universe? That’s the ego. When you create a universe, you think you’re God.”
Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2: The Rule features Allu Arjun in the titular role, alongside Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna. The Telugu blockbuster has grossed over ₹1,760 crore globally, cementing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024 and the third-highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Industry experts predict it will soon surpass Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.
Kashyap on Kennedy and Bollywood’s Studio System
Kashyap also voiced concerns about the studio-driven model dominating Bollywood, which he believes stifles creativity. Reflecting on his recent film Kennedy, he lamented its lack of distribution in India despite critical acclaim at international festivals, including a celebrated premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
“I’ve detached myself from Kennedy because I don’t want it to become like Black Friday. I will not let anything pull me down again in life,” he said.
Starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, Kennedy garnered rave reviews worldwide but remains unreleased in India. Kashyap attributed this to the rigid structures of Bollywood studios, which prioritize formulaic narratives over innovative storytelling.
While Kashyap has yet to direct another film post-Kennedy, he has kept busy as an actor, featuring in notable projects like Leo, Maharaja, and Viduthalai Part 2. His comments continue to spark debates about the future of Hindi cinema and its place in the evolving landscape of Indian filmmaking.
