Anurag Kashyap Plans to Leave Bollywood, Cites Creative Stagnation and Industry Discontent

Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has announced plans to move away from Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood, and shift to South India in search of creative stimulation. Sharing his dissatisfaction with the current state of the Hindi film industry, Kashyap criticized the environment for stifling creativity and prioritizing profit over artistic exploration.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kashyap revealed his frustration, stating, “The joy of filmmaking has been sucked out. Now it is difficult for me to experiment as everything starts with profit and margins in mind. Even before the film begins, the focus shifts to how it will be sold. That’s why I want to move to the South. I want to be in a space where creativity thrives, or else I will wither away in this system. I am so disappointed and disgusted by the mindset of my industry.”

Kashyap also criticized the increasing influence of talent management agencies, accusing them of exploiting young actors. He said these agencies focus on turning actors into stars for monetary gains rather than honing their acting skills. “Nobody wants to act anymore—they all want to be stars. Agencies don’t nurture talent; they profit off their success. They send actors to the gym, not to workshops, because it’s all about glamor and becoming massive stars,” he said.

Highlighting Bollywood’s preference for remakes over original content, Kashyap remarked that innovative films like Manjummel Boys wouldn’t initially be made in Hindi cinema but would likely be remade if successful elsewhere.

His decision to relocate underscores his disappointment with the industry’s unwillingness to embrace experimentation, a sentiment echoed by many creators who seek freedom to push artistic boundaries.