Veteran director Anurag Kashyap has made a break with Bollywood, blaming the increasing toxicity of the film industry. The director of Gangs of Wasseypur made his exit known in an open declaration, revealing that he was disillusioned with the ruthless atmosphere and backroom politics that permeate the industry today. “I want to stay away from film people.”. The business has grown too polluted,” Kashyap said, implying that his break is not merely temporary but one of choice so that he will not be contaminated by the melee.
Kashyap, whose uncompromising, edgy films are known, has frequently spoken up about Bollywood’s problems, from nepotism to censorship. He has also been attacked by the industry in the past for his blunt observations, but this latest expose points to a breaking point. Those in the know in the industry wonder if it is a culmination of creative throttling, limited artistic freedom, and growing corporatization of cinema.
Though Kashyap has not made his post-Netflix plans clear, the fans and movie buffs are awaiting his return to storytelling in any form. Either through independent films, OTTs, or overseas collaborations, his influence on Indian cinema cannot be denied. Some have taken to social media to lament his departure, with others terming it a “wake-up call” for Bollywood to reflect and turn over a new leaf.
While the film world is in shock at Kashyap’s exit, the debate surrounding Bollywood’s work culture has again been brought into focus. With independent cinema and digital media gaining prominence, the director’s move could be an indication of a change in the way artists prefer to chart their creative paths independent of conventional industry shackles.
