Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap reveals why he never worked with big stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan
Struggles of a successful filmmaker
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his unconventional and critically acclaimed films, recently shared his reasons for never attempting to work with big stars such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, despite being one of the most influential filmmakers of contemporary Indian cinema.
The pressure of expectations
Anurag Kashyap admitted that he had succumbed to the pressure of his peers, who would tell him that without stars, his films wouldn’t achieve success. However, he emphasized that with stars come higher expectations, and he didn’t know how to manipulate their images and cater to their fanbase.
Cancellation of films
The filmmaker revealed that some of his films were cancelled because he focused on making movies that reflected his own vision and didn’t cater to anybody’s friends or fanbase. He explained that he valued artistic integrity over conforming to popular expectations.
Indian fans and hero-worshipping culture
Anurag Kashyap observed that Indian fans are often driven by hero-worshipping, unlike in other countries where actors have more freedom to experiment with their roles. He pointed out that Indian actors like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan are careful even when they experiment, as upsetting their fanbases can lead to strong reactions and backlash.
Stars in the OTT era
The filmmaker acknowledged that stars will continue to be stars even in the era of OTT platforms. However, he appreciated the fact that the digital space has provided opportunities for good actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui to lead films and receive better roles and paychecks.
Conclusion
Anurag Kashyap’s decision to not work with big stars reflects his commitment to filmmaking as an art form and his willingness to take risks with unconventional storytelling. He believes that true talent should always be given a chance to shine, regardless of the star power associated with a project.
