Anurag Kashyap has undergone a personality overhaul. The critically acclaimed filmmaker has decided to keep a distance from the media and social media platforms like Twitter. He doesn’t enjoy being under the spotlight. He claims, “My life was happier and calmer, when the media wasn’t part of it. My business team though gives it importance. I’d be happy if people are only interested in my work. I don’t see foreign filmmakers talking as much about their films. There’s so much media presence in India that it’s become a nightmare. You are hard selling everything. The worst is when you start dishing out your private life too.” He adds, “People are interested in many things. That doesn’t mean you give it to them. People are interested in Kim Kardashian too, but they can’t have her. Right?”
He chooses not to be as outspoken as before. “I’m trying to find peace. I’ve stopped trying to change the world. It’s pointless. Now I’ve turned selfish. Now I want to make my movies, I want to look after this production company called Phantom and keep discovering new movies. AKFPL (Anurag Kashyap Film Productions Ltd) has shut down. I don’t want to fight with anyone.” He’s become vigilant on Twitter. “I’m back on Twitter but I won’t pick fights with anyone. I don’t feel the need to reply to every question. I’ve realised that I was just banging my head against a wall. I paid a high price for that. I lost my sanity. I don’t want to allow the world to do that to me again.”
Unfortunately, his period epic Bombay Velvet (BV) has been in the news for the wrong reasons. The most pertinent being that it’s gone grossly over budget. Then there’s speculation that Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma are not happy with it either. “Why would it go over budget? We shot the film in 75 days. Ranbir loves the film. Anushka, in all her interviews for PK, stated how much she love the film. Why doesn’t that become a headline? Everyone is just looking out for a crisis they can play up. They wonder how Anurag Kashyap can make a big film with big stars. The trailer will speak for itself.”
He clarifies reports about Rishi Kapoor being unhappy with the movie too. “Rishi Kapoor hasn’t even seen the film. Why hasn’t anyone asked him whether he’s happy or unhappy? There are stories about Raveena Tandon’s song being cut out of the film. Now even she’s started believing that. It’s a weird industry. If Bombay Velvet was postponed there must have been a genuine reason. But people are already expecting a failed film. There’s never a face, nor a name. It all stems from theories. I wish someone would come out and say, ‘I said this about your film because I don’t believe in it’. I’d understand that.”
The upward curve, Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is associated with Anurag’s ambitious project. “Martin has seen Bombay Velvet and he gave me an honest feedback. He’s still working on the edit. What more could one ask for? I’m not going to sell my film on the basis of his association. That’s also probably why I have lasting friendships in the industry. I don’t use my friends. I seek friendships to enhance my work. I show all my films to all my director friends in India as well. I’ve been doing that since Paanch and Black Friday. The first people to watch Black Friday were Sudhir Mishra, David Dhawan and Satish Kaushik. I’m showing my film across the world and looking for feedback. The idea is to make the film better.” He goes onto to clarify the extent of Scorsese’s involvement. “Martin is not going to represent Bombay Velvet internationally. The truth is that Thelma Colbert Shoonmaker (American film editor) is working on the edit. Nothing else reported is true.”
He mellows down while talking of Scorsese’s kindness. “I’m big fan of Martin Scorsese and his work. He’s great and a generous man. He watches other people’s movies more than anybody else in the world. Filmmakers always seek his opinion. He writes to the filmmkaers. I treasure that. But he’s a busy man. I’ve been careful not to intrude in his space or time.” He adds, “He once told me, ‘The bigger a budget of the film the more diplomacy in the edit room.’ When you work with high budgets you face a lot of pressure. Low budget movies give you more freedom.” He clarifies that he never met British-American filmmaker Christopher Nolan, “How can Nolan associate with Bombay Velvet? I don’t even know him.”
One of the biggest takeaways from Bombay Velvet is Anurag and Karan Johar’s newfound friendship. They seem to have come a long way from taking potshots at one another. “It’s not like we became friends over night. Our friendship grew over a period of time. I’m not amongst his best friends. But whenever we meet we have a good time. I enjoy his company.” Being friends with Karan has changed his perspective as well. “Karan’s a valuable part of my life. I’ve learned much from him. First thing I learnt was to not take myself seriously and to laugh at myself. I’m lucky to have discovered him. He’s grounded and generous. You see that in the actors he launches as well. Even they imbibe his sense of humility. His films don’t go over budget. I saw Alia Bhatt on the set of Shandaar. She’s a producer’s and director’s delight. She’s not a diva. It was the same with Ranbir and Anushka.”
He is all praise for Karan’s business acumen. “Karan’s sense of responsibility towards the business is amazing. He makes sure people make money from his movies. Another thing I’ve learnt from him is where to buy shoes from. Unfortunately, I’ve enough money to buy just one pair. I can’t afford more.” He confesses to having enjoyed working with Karan in Bombay Velvet. “As an actor he surrenders to you completely. He understands that I’m here as an actor, he trusts the director. He’ll surprise everyone in BV.” His disposition becomes a lot colder when the conversation changes to his separation with Kalki Koechlin. “The Indian media is not mature enough to understand the kind of relationship Kalki and I share. That’s it!” He prefers to keep the lid tight on his new relationship. “It’s nobody’s business to know about my personal life. Earlier I’d tell the truth but I don’t think people deserve to know the truth now. Why should my life be anybody’s business? It was a subject for open speculation once. Not anymore.” He lightens up a little while talking about brother Abhinav Kashyap and his absence from the scene after the debacle of Besharam. “Abhinav is a good filmmaker. I’m sure he’ll bounce back and surprise everyone. He’s smart enough to realise certain things, he’s not living in a bubble.”
There are reports of Anurag directing an American film. But he’s not happy being dubbed Hollywood’s latest debutant. “I’m going to make a film in English with American actors. I’m not making a great Hollywood debut with Johnny Depp or Leonardo Di Caprio. The language will change, the setting will change. I’ll have more freedom to explore. People should write about the film when it’s made. Praise it or criticise it. I don’t want to hog headlines. I’ll continue making films in any language if I find a good story.”