Bollywood’s Love‑Hate with Praise: Anurag Kashyap Calls Out the Hit‑First Habit
In a candid Zoom conversation while promoting his new venture Dacoit, veteran filmmaker Anurag Kashyap opened up about a long‑standing bias in the Indian film industry. According to Anurag Kashyap, many of his peers applaud movies only after they become box‑office hits, leaving genuine appreciation for craft and storytelling scarce. He explained that his habit of publicly praising films he enjoys often goes unrewarded, and that this lack of reciprocity is now a common experience for many in Bollywood. Joined by actress Mrunal Thakur, Anurag Kashyap highlighted that sincere commendation is a rarity, and that most accolades are driven by commercial success. The conversation also touched upon Anurag Kashyap’s recent social media endorsements, such as his glowing note on Subedaar starring Anil Kapoor, and his admiration for Ranveer Singh’s dedication in Lootera, where Ranveer Singh went to the extent of injuring himself for authenticity. Further, Anurag Kashyap discussed the release of Dacoit, a bilingual Telugu‑Hindi drama directed by debutant Shaneil Deo, featuring Adivi Sesh and marking Anurag Kashyap’s first foray into Telugu cinema. The film received mixed reviews and a modest box‑office opening, underscoring the very point Anurag Kashyap made about success dictating praise. This piece delves deep into the nuances of Anurag Kashyap’s observations, his personal experiences, and what his stance might signal for the future of appreciation in Bollywood.
Setting the Stage: Anurag Kashyap’s Love for Cinema
Whenever I sit down with Anurag Kashyap, it feels like I’m sitting down with a lifelong film‑buff who never stops being amazed by a good story. Anurag Kashyap has always been vocal about his love for movies, whether they are made in Hindi, Malayalam, or any other language. The moment Anurag Kashyap sees a film that strikes a chord, the very first thing that comes out is a tweet, a post, or a short video where Anurag Kashyap says, “I liked this, here’s why.” It’s almost like Anurag Kashyap can’t keep the admiration inside.
But far too often the industry’s reaction to Anurag Kashyap’s shout‑outs feels like a silent wall. In most cases, people just nod and smile, but they rarely return the favour. Anurag Kashyap’s experience is something many of us in the creative space can relate to: you give a compliment, but the world around you is busy counting numbers.
The Zoom Chat While Promoting Dacoit
It was during a Zoom call that Anurag Kashyap opened up about this pattern. The call happened while Anurag Kashyap was promoting the bilingual action drama Dacoit. You could see the casual vibe – Anurag Kashyap was sitting on a wooden chair, a cup of chai steaming beside the laptop, and the camera showed a glimpse of the messy but cosy home office.
When the moderator asked why Anurag Kashyap’s praise rarely gets returned, Anurag Kashyap answered with his trademark candidness. "A lot of people tell me you praise so many films, but nobody does that for your film. The thing is I love films. So, when I like something, I say it. Koi nahi bolta main kya karoon (what do I do). Can't make them do that at gunpoint," Anurag Kashyap said, chuckling a little.
It felt like an honest confession you would make over a cup of chai with a friend. Anurag Kashyap’s words were simple, no frills, just pure truth. And that simplicity made the point hit harder – admiration should be free, not a transaction waiting on box‑office tallies.
Mrunal Thakur’s Take on Genuine Appreciation
During that same Zoom conversation, actress Mrunal Thakur, who shares the screen with Anurag Kashyap in Dacoit, added her own view. "Genuine appreciation is rare," Mrunal Thakur said, and her voice carried the same mix of honesty and irritation that many of us feel when a colleague’s effort goes unnoticed.
Anurag Kashyap aCrickxod, noting that the industry’s biggest applause usually arrives only after a project proves its commercial worth. "Industry ka abhi hai, when things become successful, everyone will say that (support)," Anurag Kashyap added.
It was like listening to two friends discussing the same old story over a late‑night snack. The point was clear: the applause often follows the money, not the merit.
Anurag Kashyap’s Shout‑Outs to Subedaar
Even though Anurag Kashyap feels the appreciation deficit, the filmmaker does not stop praising work that moves Anurag Kashyap. Just a few weeks ago, Anurag Kashyap wrote a detailed note about Subedaar, a film starring Anil Kapoor. In the note, Anurag Kashyap praised the movie’s cinematic quality, saying it should have been screened in theatres because of its anamorphic shooting style designed for a big‑screen experience.
"SUBEDAAR on @primevideoin should have been a theatrical. Would have loved to experience it in cinemas; it’s clearly shot on anamorphic for the big screen, designed for the big screen. @sureshtriveni_ creates an immersive world of Bundelkhand/Chambal, complete with its patriarchy and entitlement. Where women are as patriarchal as men and those who aren’t, they fight like a man in these male‑dominated hinterlands of the beehad that once gave rise to Phoolan Devi," Anurag Kashyap wrote, mixing analysis with admiration.
The note felt like a friend recommending a must‑watch film to a neighbour, offering reasons why the neighbour shouldn’t miss it. It underlined Anurag Kashyap’s willingness to keep the conversation alive, even if the industry’s response is muted.
Ranveer Singh’s Dedication, as Noted by Anurag Kashyap
Another example of Anurag Kashyap’s respect for craft came when Anurag Kashyap spoke about Ranveer Singh’s commitment during the making of Lootera. Anurag Kashyap recounted how Ranveer Singh, to feel the pain of a gunshot in the climax, actually cut himself on the stomach without informing anyone.
"We had to take him to the hospital. The film didn’t do the numbers of Dhurandhar, but it’s that man’s conviction," Anurag Kashyap said, highlighting Ranveer Singh’s willingness to push his boundaries for authenticity.
This anecdote felt like a story you’d hear from a coworker about a colleague who went the extra mile, even when the effort didn’t bring immediate awards or applause. Anurag Kashyap’s admiration for Ranveer Singh’s method acting added another layer to the discussion about recognition and success.
Dacoit’s Launch, Reception, and What It Means
Dacoit, the film that was the backdrop of the Zoom chat, is a bilingual Telugu‑Hindi action drama directed by debutant Shaneil Deo. The film also features Adivi Sesh in a leading role, and it marks Anurag Kashyap’s first foray into Telugu cinema. When Dacoit hit the theatres, the response was mixed. Critics praised the raw energy and local flavour, but the box‑office numbers stayed modest.
In many ways, Dacoit embodies the very point Anurag Kashyap was making – a film with heart and effort yet not immediately showered with universal praise. Even the director Shaneil Deo, who is still new to the industry, expressed that he hoped the film would eventually find its audience, much like many smaller projects do over time.
The modest opening of Dacoit also reminded us that many good movies get lost in the initial rush of big‑budget releases. Anurag Kashyap’s belief that appreciation should be independent of numbers feels even more relevant in this context.
What This Means for Bollywood’s Culture of Praise
Listening to Anurag Kashyap’s observations, one gets a sense that the industry’s habit of waiting for commercial validation before offering genuine applause may need a change. Anurag Kashyp’s consistent practice of publicly applauding movies he loves, despite the lack of reciprocation, sets an example for many aspiring filmmakers and actors.
If more people in the industry followed Anurag Kashyap’s lead – praising good work irrespective of the box‑office numbers – the overall environment could become more supportive. Think of how it feels when a neighbour praises your homemade pickles even before anyone else has tasted them. That early encouragement often fuels more creativity.
In most cases, the conversation circles back to what matters: storytelling, dedication, and the love for cinema. Anurag Kashyap’s candour, along with anecdotes about Subedaar and Ranveer Singh, reminds us that real appreciation should be about the craft, not the cash register.
So the next time a new film releases, perhaps we should try to give it the same honest praise that Anurag Kashyap does – without waiting for the numbers to roll in. After all, if we start cheering for movies purely because we love them, the industry might just start returning that love on its own terms.
