‘The Industry Has Become Too Toxic’; says Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap, one of India’s most influential filmmakers, has decided to leave Bollywood because he is unhappy with the industry’s toxic environment where profit is valued more than creativity and artistic freedom. Anurag Kashyap, known for his bold and out of the box storytelling in films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Dev.D, revealed his frustration with the commercial pressures that dominate the Indian film industry and said that he is ‘disgusted’ by it. He has now decided to leave Mumbai and explore opportunities in the South Indian film industry because of the broader challenges faced by filmmakers in a highly commercialized environment.
In an interview with The Hindu, Anurag Kashyap confirmed that he has moved out of Mumbai due to the increasing toxicity in the Hindi film industry. Although he chose not to disclose the exact city of his new residence, Anurag Kashyap confirmed that he has already secured a rental home.
In a recent interview in January 2025, Anurag Kashyap expressed his disappointment with Bollywood’s obsession with box office returns, explaining, “I want to go where there is stimulation. Otherwise, I will die as an old man. I am so disgusted by the mindset.” These comments reflect Anurag Kashyap’s belief that Bollywood’s fixation on profit margins has compromised the creative freedom that originally drew him to filmmaking. His discontent is rooted in what he perceives as the industry’s prioritization of star power and market-driven narratives over original & risk-taking cinema.
For years, Anurag Kashyap has been an outspoken critic of Bollywood’s commercial model. He has repeatedly called out the industry’s trend toward formulaic films that rely on big-budget productions and established stars rather than experimental content. According to Anurag Kashyap, this commercial focus has choked innovation and limited the scope for filmmakers to experiment with new ideas. The filmmaker has often criticized the “star-making culture” in Bollywood, where the success of a film is frequently determined by the presence of top actors, rather than the strength of the script or the vision of the director.
Anurag Kashyap’s hatred for the Bollywood industry is not something that developed recently. Over the years, he has expressed concerns about the lack of support for independent filmmakers and the increasing dominance of big studios and production houses. He has also pointed out that many filmmakers, including himself, face pressure to compromise their creative vision in order to meet commercial expectations. This frustration was particularly evident after the underperformance of his 2015 film Bombay Velvet, which, despite its large budget and star cast, failed to resonate with audiences. The box office disappointment led to discussions about the risks associated with high-budget, high-stakes filmmaking in Bollywood.
In contrast to the pressures of Bollywood, Anurag Kashyap’s move to the South Indian film industry is seen as an opportunity to regain creative freedom. The South Indian film industry, particularly Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema, has gained international recognition for its innovative storytelling and willingness to address bold, unconventional themes. This regional cinema has seen a surge in popularity both in India and abroad, with films like RRR (2022) and Kantara (2022) gaining global acclaim. By relocating to South India, Anurag Kashyap wants to explore new avenues for his creative pursuits, where he believes filmmakers are given more freedom to explore fresh ideas without the same level of commercial constraints.
Anurag Kashyap’s decision also highlights a broader trend within the Indian film industry, where some filmmakers are increasingly seeking alternatives to the commercial pressures of Bollywood. Many filmmakers in recent years have expressed their frustration with the industry’s lack of support for experimental and independent films. Some have even moved to smaller, more niche film industries, such as those in the South, in order to find a more welcoming environment for their work.