13th September 2023, Mumbai: Anurag Kashyap opened up about his reasons for not collaborating with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. The acclaimed filmmaker shed light on the challenges of experimenting with big celebrities due to their massive fan followings.
Kashyap on working with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan
Anurag Kashyap, known for his distinctive and often chaotic yet beautiful filmmaking style, has had both box office hits and flops in Bollywood. During the interview, he revealed why he has refrained from working with major stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Kashyap explained that the presence of big celebrities with extensive fan bases limits the creative experimentation that a director can undertake. He mentioned, “Though I came here to make films, there was a time when I succumbed to it (the habit of chasing stars). Everybody was telling me, ‘Without stars you are doing this—imagine what you will do with stars.’ That’s when the tide turns the other way and the slide starts.”
Challenges of working with superstar actors
He further elaborated on the challenges of working with superstar actors in India, stating, “If you don’t cater to their fanbase while working with a star, they will cancel you. And, my film did get cancelled because I was making my own movie. I am not catering to anybody’s friends or fanbase. There’s no such practice in other countries. So, there you have more freedom, and actors also play around. We are driven by hero-worshipping here.”
Salman Khan fans went after director Kabir Khan
Kashyap highlighted the passionate and dedicated nature of Indian fans, which makes it nearly impossible for actors like SRK or Salman to ignore their fanbase. He added, “Even when they are experimenting or playing around, they think a lot because if their fanbases get upset, they react very strongly. They go after everyone. After Tubelight, Salman Khan fans went after director Kabir Khan.”
Anurag Kashyap New Movie
On the professional front, Anurag Kashyap’s most recent directorial venture was the thriller “Kennedy,” featuring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone in lead roles. The film premiered on ZEE5 on August 25. Kashyap’s filmmaking journey began with “Paanch” in 2003, and he has directed several successful films, including “Gangs of Wasseypur,” “Dobaaraa,” “Black Friday,” “Lust Stories,” “Manmarziyaan,” “Masaan,” “Bombay Talkies,” among others. Additionally, he appeared in the web series “Haddi” alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui, which is currently available for streaming on Zee5.
By Yashika Desai