During a candid conversation with his daughter Aaliyah Kashyap,
Anurag Kashyap
recently spoke in length about the backlash he faced for supporting
Sandeep Reddy Vanga
, the director of the
Ranbir Kapoor
starrer ‘Animal.’
Anurag expressed his positive sentiments towards Sandeep Reddy Vanga, stating that he met Vanga, found him likable, and engaged in a five-hour conversation with him regarding his film.
During their conversation, Aaliyah expressed her disappointment with her father for his Instagram post promoting Vanga, especially after they both criticized Vanga’s film. Aaliyah recounted how she called her father immediately after watching ‘Animal,’ expressing her disdain for its
misogynistic
content, to which Anurag agreed. However, she was taken aback when she later saw her father endorsing Vanga on Instagram.
Anurag Kashyap faces backlash for his viral pics with Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Anurag reflected on his own encounters with being criticized for his films, citing examples like ‘Dev D’ and ‘Gangs of Wasseypur,’ initially labeled as ‘misogynistic.’ He recalled how he faced backlash and was deemed untouchable by many after the release of ‘Dev D.’ Similarly, ‘
Gangs of Wasseypur
‘ faced similar criticism despite his characters having agency. Anurag expressed his disapproval of isolating and attacking individuals for their work.
The filmmaker reiterated the importance of avoiding isolation and promoting constructive dialogue. He reflected on his past as a blogger, where he expressed anger and criticism towards the film industry, leading to misunderstandings and isolation. Anurag admitted to being hard and angry, even engaging in conflicts with figures like
Karan Johar
and
Salman Khan
. However, he emphasized his dislike for cancel culture and preferred addressing his concerns directly with individuals rather than resorting to online criticism.
Over time, Anurag recognized the significance of addressing concerns directly with filmmakers rather than resorting to public attacks on social media. He expressed skepticism towards individuals who are perceived as feminist or activists, noting that many may not be genuine. Anurag praised Sandeep for his authenticity, acknowledging that while opinions on ‘Animal’ may vary, the film represents a significant shift in filmmaking.
The director of ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ also commended Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s contribution to the industry, hailing ‘Animal’ as a transformative force. Anurag predicted that the film’s impact would become evident in the coming years, suggesting that it has raised the bar for action sequences and technical details in cinema. While acknowledging potential issues with characters and storytelling, Anurag advocated for direct communication with filmmakers rather than public criticism. He emphasized his approach of championing works he admires while remaining silent on those he doesn’t.
Anurag emphasized the importance of acknowledging the dedication and labor behind the Animal director’s films, even if they don’t resonate with everyone. Reflecting on his own evolution, Anurag admitted to being reactionary in the past but has since adopted a more composed approach to criticism. He refrains from rating movies now, focusing instead on his personal journey in the industry. Anurag suggested that while Sandeep might be reactive at times, it’s ultimately his journey, and everyone has their own path to navigate. He cautioned against hastily categorizing individuals, advocating instead for understanding their unique experiences and trajectories.
