Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has stated that Bollywood producers are the biggest problem facing the industry, accusing them of a “herd mentality” that prevents them from embracing new and nuanced ideas. He argues that producers are too focused on making guaranteed “hit films” and are unwilling to take risks on original stories, even when talented writers and directors have fresh concepts.
The Rise of Re-releases and the Power of Perseverance
Kashyap’s comments come amid a surprising trend of older films being successfully re-released in theaters, which he links to the producers’ reluctance to support new content. He praised filmmaker Mohit Suri for his perseverance in getting his blockbuster film, Saiyaara, made. According to Kashyap, Suri faced years of rejection from producers who didn’t understand his vision for a film with new actors, yet he held on to his story and proved them wrong. Kashyap’s next film, Nishaanchi, a crime drama set in early 2000s Uttar Pradesh, is set to be released on September 19.
