Anurag Kashyap says he could shift to Kochi amid a hard-hitting message for Bollywood: Learn from Malayalam cinema

Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, celebrated for his bold storytelling in Bollywood, recently ventured into Malayalam cinema with his acting debut in Aashiq Abu's Rifle Club. The film, a Western-inspired drama, saw Kashyap play a morally ambiguous arms dealer, a performance that garnered widespread praise. Despite the acclaim, Kashyap revealed he has yet to watch the movie in full. “I haven’t even seen the movie yet,” he admitted with a laugh during a Zoom interview.

Kashyap’s character in Rifle Club demanded a transformative approach, including delivering lines in fluent Malayalam, embracing a potbellied look, and sporting quirky outfits. His commitment to the role was evident in his seamless portrayal of a complex father-son dynamic with rapper Hanumankind. One scene, in particular, showcased Kashyap’s character trying to restrain his son’s violent tendencies while asserting his own authority, reflecting the morally gray world of the film.

Admiration for Malayalam Cinema

Kashyap was effusive in his praise for the Malayalam film industry, particularly its collaborative spirit and fearless storytelling. He noted, “Everyone is together on set, without entourages or vanity vans. That camaraderie reflects in the films.” Kashyap highlighted the sharp writing by Syam Pushkaran and the grounded performances of the cast, including veteran actor Vijayaraghavan.


Comparing the work culture to Bollywood, Kashyap criticized the Hindi film industry’s obsession with profits and formulaic remakes. "It’s all about money—obsession with box-office crores in Bollywood. Everything is a formula. Filmmakers can't sell originals without a reference point,” he remarked. Kashyap pointed out how Bollywood often seeks remake rights for Malayalam films like Manjummel Boys rather than creating original content.

Hinting at a Move to Kochi

During the interview, Kashyap expressed a strong affinity for Kochi and its creative environment. The filmmaker hinted at the possibility of relocating to the city, which he described as a haven for writers and artists. “Kochi feels like a place where I can truly write. The people, the environment—everything fits,” he shared, underscoring his admiration for the city’s artistic culture.

Kashyap’s admiration for Malayalam cinema seems to extend beyond his work in Rifle Club. He described the industry as prioritizing storytelling above all else, a quality he believes Bollywood needs to adopt. “In South India, storytelling always comes first,” he said, reflecting on his experience working in the Malayalam industry.