‘They Will Murder…’: Anurag Kashyap Explains Why He Can’t Direct Shah Rukh Khan
Once regarded as one of the boldest voices in Hindi cinema , Anurag Kashyap now believes that the industry no longer has room for the kind of fearless storytelling that once defined his work. The filmmaker has openly admitted that the raw, uncomfortable films he became known for would struggle to exist in today’s tightly regulated creative environment.
In a recent conversation with Galatta Plus, Kashyap spoke candidly about a question he is frequently asked why he doesn’t return to making films like Ugly, Dev.D, or Gangs of Wasseypur . His answer was direct and unfiltered.
“Today, when I make films, I get things like, why don’t I make a film like Ugly, or Dev.D, or even Gangs of Wasseypur. The thing is, I can’t make it. It won’t pass. It won’t clear the censors. The political scenario has changed. Censorship has changed. Everything has changed. Plus, it’s being run by corporates. Everything is being run by people who don’t have skin in the game,” he said.
According to Kashyap, the issue is not just stricter censorship but a complete shift in how Hindi cinema functions. He believes corporate control has replaced creative risk-taking, with decisions now being made by people who are far removed from the emotional and artistic stakes of filmmaking.
Why Kashyap Feels Hindi Cinema Has Lost Its Backbone
Looking back at the past, Kashyap recalled a time when filmmakers actively stood together to challenge censorship. He cited the release of Udta Punjab as a moment when the industry showed unity and resistance. However, he feels that collective spirit has faded over the years.
In contrast, Kashyap praised southern film industries for continuing to experiment with content, themes, and formats. He pointed out that innovation there is not limited to big-budget spectacles but also thrives in smaller, low-budget films.
“Why Tamil cinema is great? Why is Malayalam cinema great? Why is Telugu cinema also constantly innovating? They also have these new, low-budget films, I’m not talking about the big ones. I’m talking about films like The Girlfriend, Court: State vs. a Nobody types of films. They’re low-budget, right? Why are they flying? I’m saying it’s because the producer has skin in the game. It’s the old school, where people invested in cinema are producing films. This is not true in Hindi cinema.”
For Kashyap, the difference lies in intent. He believes producers in the South are personally invested in the films they back, which gives directors the confidence to take creative risks. In Bollywood, he feels that profit-first thinking has weakened storytelling and originality.
Why He Won’t Direct Shah Rukh Khan
During the same conversation, Kashyap was asked about a collaboration that many cinephiles have long dreamed of—him directing Shah Rukh Khan. His response was honest and blunt.
“No, I can’t. Because his fan base is huge. Even if he agrees to adhere to my sensibilities, I still can’t do it, because what happens is, when there is a massive fan base, if you disappoint them, they will murder the director.”
Kashyap explained that working with a superstar of Shah Rukh Khan’s stature comes with immense pressure and expectations. For a filmmaker known for challenging narratives and dark realism, that environment leaves little room for creative freedom.
Through his remarks, Anurag Kashyap painted a stark picture of the current state of Hindi cinema one where fearless voices are being sidelined, collective resistance has weakened, and the space for bold, uncompromising films continues to shrink.
In a recent conversation with Galatta Plus, Kashyap spoke candidly about a question he is frequently asked why he doesn’t return to making films like Ugly, Dev.D, or Gangs of Wasseypur . His answer was direct and unfiltered.
“Today, when I make films, I get things like, why don’t I make a film like Ugly, or Dev.D, or even Gangs of Wasseypur. The thing is, I can’t make it. It won’t pass. It won’t clear the censors. The political scenario has changed. Censorship has changed. Everything has changed. Plus, it’s being run by corporates. Everything is being run by people who don’t have skin in the game,” he said.
According to Kashyap, the issue is not just stricter censorship but a complete shift in how Hindi cinema functions. He believes corporate control has replaced creative risk-taking, with decisions now being made by people who are far removed from the emotional and artistic stakes of filmmaking.
Why Kashyap Feels Hindi Cinema Has Lost Its Backbone
Looking back at the past, Kashyap recalled a time when filmmakers actively stood together to challenge censorship. He cited the release of Udta Punjab as a moment when the industry showed unity and resistance. However, he feels that collective spirit has faded over the years.
In contrast, Kashyap praised southern film industries for continuing to experiment with content, themes, and formats. He pointed out that innovation there is not limited to big-budget spectacles but also thrives in smaller, low-budget films.
“Why Tamil cinema is great? Why is Malayalam cinema great? Why is Telugu cinema also constantly innovating? They also have these new, low-budget films, I’m not talking about the big ones. I’m talking about films like The Girlfriend, Court: State vs. a Nobody types of films. They’re low-budget, right? Why are they flying? I’m saying it’s because the producer has skin in the game. It’s the old school, where people invested in cinema are producing films. This is not true in Hindi cinema.”
For Kashyap, the difference lies in intent. He believes producers in the South are personally invested in the films they back, which gives directors the confidence to take creative risks. In Bollywood, he feels that profit-first thinking has weakened storytelling and originality.
Why He Won’t Direct Shah Rukh Khan
During the same conversation, Kashyap was asked about a collaboration that many cinephiles have long dreamed of—him directing Shah Rukh Khan. His response was honest and blunt.
“No, I can’t. Because his fan base is huge. Even if he agrees to adhere to my sensibilities, I still can’t do it, because what happens is, when there is a massive fan base, if you disappoint them, they will murder the director.”
Kashyap explained that working with a superstar of Shah Rukh Khan’s stature comes with immense pressure and expectations. For a filmmaker known for challenging narratives and dark realism, that environment leaves little room for creative freedom.
Through his remarks, Anurag Kashyap painted a stark picture of the current state of Hindi cinema one where fearless voices are being sidelined, collective resistance has weakened, and the space for bold, uncompromising films continues to shrink.
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