
Anurag Kashyap and his curious (criminal) case of blasphemy
Kashyap's case exposes the universal tensions between freedom of expression and legal censorship. It's a struggle that for me resonates with Buffalo Springfield's 1967 protest anthem For What It's Worth:

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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
'Chhaava' director Laxman Utekar tells 'Chale Jao Beshak, koi zabardasti nahi hai,' as he reacts to Anurag Kashyap's statement about leaving Bollywood: 'Aap wahin atke huye ho'
A while ago, Anurag Kashyap had said in an interview that he wants to leave Bollywood and Bombay as he's fed up of it. He had criticised the industry for making the same kind of movies and not wanting to experiment. He had also slammed OTT platforms for the same. Earlier, in an interview with The Hindu, he said, "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 Rs 500 or Rs 800 crore film. The creative atmosphere is gone.' Now 'Chhaava' director Laxman Utekar has reacted to Kashyap's statement. When asked about it in an interview, he told Mama's Couch, "Chale jao chod kar, beshak chale jao, koi zabadasti nahi kar raha hai. See, ye industry aisi hai ki you have to be mentally and creatively happy, then only we can make a great… agar aapka mann nahi hai yahan rehne ka toh aap great film kaise banaoge? Aap chale jao, isse acha (Leave if you want to, nobody is forcing you to stay. You can only make movies if you are creatively happy, and there's no point in forcing yourself if you can't put your heart in it). ' He further said that Kashyap is wrong in saying that the audience has no sensibility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Campanha (consulte o preço) Alarmes Saiba Mais Undo He added, "Woh galat bol rahe hai jab woh kehte hai ki audience ko sensibilities nahi hai unki film accept karne ki… balki unki sensibility nahi hai audience ka taste accept karne ki. Aaj 700-800 crore tak business kar rahi hai films… how can you say cinema is dying? Aap collection toh dekho Baahubali ka, RRR ka, Pushpa ka—1200 crore tak ka collection tha. Ya phir in fact Chhaava ka. Sensibility aapki change honi chahiye kyunki aap wahin par aatke huye ho (How can you say cinema is dying when movies are doing business of over Rs 1000 crore? You should change your sensibilities instead of telling the audience to change themselves).' Laxman said that film-makers will have to evolve with time as the audience is constantly evolving. "Aaj audience ke paas apne phone mein duniya bhar ka cinema hai. They are more updated than you. They know what to watch and what not to. And after every three years, cinema is changing. cinematography is changing, editing is changing, storytelling, costume… everything is changing. As a filmmaker, you have to change. You can't be stuck in the past and say the audience doesn't have sensibility. You have to change," he said. The director also criticised some film-makers who just make movies for a certain kind of audience from Bandra to Juhu. He said, "Unko pata hi nahi hai logon ko kya dekhna hai… kyunki woh rehte hai aise Juhu-Bandra jaise posh areas mein. Wahan rehna bura nahi hai, main bhi chahta hoon wahan rahun. Inn logon ka holiday hota hai London, New York, Dubai mein… unko Bandra ke aage Parel, Thane, Chembur jaise areas pata hi nahi. They don't even know these areas exist. Jab aap apna desh ghume hi nahi ho… aap apne desh ko jaante hi nahi ho… aap apne brands mein busy ho… toh unko kaise pata chalega ki log kya dekhna chahte hai (These people have no idea that there is a world beyond Juhu and Bandra. They need to open their eyes and travel around the country. Instead, they are busy with their brands).' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .


Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Pink Villa
Inside Anurag Kashyap's 2-floor Mumbai home that doubles as his library, office and private screening room
In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap opened the doors to his Mumbai duplex home, offering a rare glimpse into his personal space. Unlike the lavish homes of many Bollywood celebrities, Kashyap's home is modest, functional, and brimming with stories. It reflects the filmmaker's deep love for books, films, and conversations. Anurag Kashyap's home is rooted in simplicity Anurag Kashyap 's home is far from flashy. His living room is filled with books and DVDs instead of art or high-end decor. The filmmaker proudly revealed that this is the same house shown in his Netflix film AK vs AK. From the grey sofas kept for elderly guests to the modest dining table that doubles as a workspace, every corner of the house reflects his creative lifestyle. This is where he brainstorms with writers, holds meetings, and even once recorded music for his film, Kennedy. Anurag Kashyap's kitchen which was once a bedroom Interestingly, Kashyap's kitchen used to be a guest bedroom. He admitted that over the years, many filmmakers and artistes had stayed at his place, but he has now 'closed his dharamshala.' He explained that he cleared out the space to reclaim it for himself, transforming it into a modern kitchen equipped with all necessary appliances like a microwave and refrigerator—the wooden cabinets and shelves now store utensils and other essentials. Anurag Kashyap's vast library Walking into his library feels like entering a different world. Kashyap showcased rows of books stored neatly in wooden shelves, with a special focus on graphic novels, a genre he deeply enjoys. The filmmaker's passion for reading is evident in how carefully he has preserved each book. He also led viewers to his screening room, the same one seen in AK vs AK, where he often watches films and spends hours immersed in cinema. Watch the full video here: Anurag Kashyap's bedroom Kashyap's bedroom is simple, with minimal furniture and space devoted to his work. He shared that the bed is often piled with scripts and other items. A television sits in one corner, and like the rest of the house, books and medicines are within easy reach. His small walk-in closet is humorously referred to as his 'shoe library,' as pairs of shoes line the hallway due to a lack of cabinet space. Anurag Kashyap's favorite spot in Mumbai home The terrace is one of Anurag's favorite spots in the house. Calm and secluded, it offers a moment of peace amidst the chaos of Mumbai. He shared that his ex-wife, actress Kalki Koechlin, had discovered this house, and they decided to purchase it. The filmmaker added with a smile that the narrow lane leading to his home is too tight for most big cars. 'Only those who genuinely want to come here make the effort,' he said, noting that film stars must get out of their vehicles and walk the rest of the way. 'They have to humble themselves,' he joked. Through this exclusive house tour with Pinkvilla, Anurag Kashyap revealed more than just the physical space he lives in. He shared a piece of his life, one filled with creativity, solitude, and memories stacked like the books and DVDs he so dearly treasures.


The Hindu
26-05-2025
- The Hindu
Watch: Anurag Kashyap on why the South feels like home
At The Hindu Huddle 2025, acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap opens up about the shifting landscape of Indian cinema. In a candid conversation under the theme India in Dialogue, he contrasts the creative freedom of regional industries like Kollywood and Malayalam cinema with the commercial constraints of Bollywood. Reflecting on his personal journey, Kashyap shares why he feels more at home in the South, where storytelling still holds primacy over star-driven formulas. His insights offered a bold critique of the Hindi film industry while celebrating the richness of India's diverse cinematic cultures. Read more: 'Pan-India' filmmaking a 'massive scam', streaming content 'worse than television': Anurag Kashyap