‘Ashoke Pandit is not an artist. He’s nothing.’
Anurag Kashyap is a Bollywood heavyweight, the maker of such celebrated films as No Smoking, Gangs of Wasseypur and Gulaal.
Kashyap sits down with Meghnad S to talk about the politics of his filmmaking, how he employs social media, and, of course, his many run-ins with the proponents of Hindutva.
On his political ideology, he says, “I don’t align with a political ideology. I don’t see any of the current political parties as being absolutely ideological.”
Speaking about Manoj Tiwari, singer turned BJP leader, Kashyap discussed how he helped bring Tiwari into the mainstream of the film industry, and how his relationship with the BJP has changed over the years. He also talks about Amit Shah, Vivek Agnihotri, and Ashoke Pandit.
Is he comfortable collaborating with artists who differ with him ideologically? “I can easily work with people of different political ideologies,” he replies. “I need to respect their art.”
Kashyap also talks about how he has failed often, and what his relationship is with filmstars like Shahrukh Khan. He has a few movie recommendations as well. So, tune in.
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