Anurag Kashyap Confirms Leaving Bollywood
Anurag Kashyap has confirmed that he is quitting Bollywood, describing the industry as “toxic” and focused only on box office numbers. In a recent interview with The Hindu, he shared his frustration with the lack of creative freedom in the current Bollywood environment. This sentiment was echoed last year when he spoke to The Hollywood Reporter India.
Frustration with the Industry
Anurag Kashyap expressed his dissatisfaction with the industry’s current direction, saying, “I want to stay away from film people. The industry has become too toxic. Everyone is chasing unrealistic targets, trying to make the next Rs 500 or Rs 800 crore film. The creative atmosphere is gone.”
Relocation to Bengaluru for a Creative Fresh Start
It seems that Anurag Kashyap has moved to Bengaluru, according to a source, to explore more fulfilling creative opportunities in South Indian cinema. He had earlier shared how he felt “disgusted” and “disappointed” by Bollywood. “I envy South filmmakers because now it’s difficult for me to experiment. It comes at a cost, and producers focus on profits instead of creativity,” he had said. Kashyap added, “The joy of filmmaking is sucked out. That’s why I want to move out. Next year, I’m leaving Mumbai.”
Upcoming Projects
Anurag Kashyap will soon be seen in Dacoit, where he plays a cop. This bilingual film, shot in both Hindi and Telugu, stars Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur in the lead roles. The release date has not yet been confirmed. Additionally, he is promoting Footage, a Malayalam thriller directed by Saiju Sreedharan. The film, starring Manju Warrier, Vishak Nair, and Gayathri Ashok, was released in August last year, and its Hindi version will premiere on March 7, 2025. Kashyap is also serving as a presenter for the film.
A Life-Changing Move for Better Well-being
Anurag Kashyap’s decision to leave Mumbai is part of his effort to lead a healthier, less stressful life. The filmmaker, aged 52, has chosen a South Indian city, far from the pressures of Bollywood. The toxic atmosphere in the industry reportedly influenced his decision to seek peace elsewhere.
New Beginning in Bengaluru
A source close to Kashyap confirmed his move to Bengaluru, the IT hub of India. “I’ve left Mumbai. I want to stay away from film people. The industry has become too toxic. Everyone is chasing unrealistic targets, trying to make the next ₹500-₹800 crore film. The creative atmosphere is gone,” Kashyap told The Hindu.
Though he didn’t reveal the exact city, Kashyap mentioned that he had already paid the rent for his new home. Leaving Mumbai, the city where he had spent decades navigating struggles to reach the top, was a tough decision for him. Reflecting on this, he said, “A city is not just a structure but also its people. People here pull you down.”
Focus on New Projects and a Stress-Free Life
Kashyap now plans to focus on upcoming projects, including a Malayalam-Hindi film and a Tamil film, with a more relaxed, creative mindset. He pointed out that many filmmakers have already left Mumbai, moving to places like Dubai, Portugal, London, Germany, and the US. Kashyap shared, “My stress is much less, and I have quit drinking.”
Here’s Anurag Kashyap’s Bollywood filmography as a director, presented as a concise list. This focuses solely on his feature films directed in Hindi cinema, excluding shorts, anthologies, and his work as a writer, producer, or actor unless specified by you later.
Anurag Kashyap’s Bollywood Films as Director:
- Paanch (Unreleased, filmed in 2001)
- Black Friday (2007)
- No Smoking (2007)
- Return of Hanuman (2007)
- Dev.D (2009)
- Gulaal (2009)
- That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011)
- Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1 (2012)
- Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 2 (2012)
- Bombay Velvet (2015)
- Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)
- Mukkabaaz (2018)
- Manmarziyaan (2018)
- Choked (2020)
- Dobaaraa (2022)
- Kennedy (2023, awaiting theatrical release as of March 5, 2025)
Let me know if you’d like me to expand this to include his short films, anthology segments, or other roles like writing or producing!