Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was candid and outspoken during a masterclass held in Toronto, where he discussed his approach to filmmaking, working with big stars, and his latest film “Kennedy.”
Kashyap expressed his strong aversion to authority, highlighting his ongoing issues with authorities. He shared his belief that characters in his films are based on real people and not products of his imagination. According to Kashyap, he has never written a character that didn’t have a real-life counterpart.
Regarding working with big stars and studios, Kashyap voiced his concerns about the vanity of stars and the financial focus of studios. He mentioned that working with big stars can be challenging because of their vanity, which is often fueled by studios‘ expectations. He also admitted to occasionally lying to studios about making script changes. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his commitment to managing budgets effectively to prevent studios from incurring losses.
Kashyap praised Zee Studios, the producer of “Kennedy,” for their success with blockbuster films like “The Kashmir Files” and “Gadar 2,” which enabled them to produce “Kennedy.”
He pointed out that stars who take risks in his films sometimes refuse similar roles years later because they may not align with family-friendly images. Kashyap explained that he writes full scripts upfront and then makes edits later, diverging from the usual development process involving synopses and director’s notes.
Kashyap’s motivation in filmmaking lies in staying curious, excited, and engaged, aiming to avoid boredom and routine.
In a separate panel discussion led by filmmaker Anup Singh, Kashyap and the lead cast of “Kennedy,” Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, delved into the world of the film during the festival.