Anurag Kashyap looks forward to work with Big B soon

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap says he grew up wanting to become like megastar Amitabh Bachchan and now looks forward to working with him soon.

"When I as a kid I wanted to grow up and become Amitabh Bachchan. Lot of things happened, but there has been a re-connection now and I am looking forward to make a film with him," the 40-year-old said here Wednesday at the premiere of his film "The Last Act".

Once Kashyap had accused Amitabh of using his clout to delay the former's film "Chittagong", to promote his son Abhishek Bachchan's film "Khelein Him Jee Jaan Sey". The subject of both the films was almost the same.

Kashyap's new production "The Last Act" is co-directed by 12 young filmmakers. The film revolves around a murder mystery where 12 clues have been dropped by the killer. Each director has directed a portion regarding one clue each.

Kashyap says these young filmmakers keep him going.

"I think we have all become old foggies compared to these new, young filmmakers who are more balsy and edgy than us. Their courage shows in their cinema and they work fearlessly," he said.

"We fear if the film will work or not, but they don't have any such fear. These young filmmakers are the ones who keep inspiring us. It's because of them that I also keep going," he added.

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra is also a part of the project and was involved in the selection of the directors.

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Ugly is strong thriller, yet emotional: Anurag Kashyap

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who is directing the thriller "Ugly", does not want to give out too much about its narrative. However, he says it has its emotional quotient in place.

"It is a very emotional film in the garb of a very strong thriller. It is a very edge-of-the-seat thriller and at the same time, an emotional film. I don't talk much about this film to anyone and I have always wanted to be very quiet about this film, " the 40-year-old said.

"This film is about that point in one's life where a character looks back (at his life) and realises that none of his dreams are fulfilled. Then something happens which makes him realise that he and the morality is so fragile, " he added.

"Ugly" has been shot partly and Kashyap doesn't see the movie hitting the screens before mid-2013.

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Younger audience more mature than older ones: Anurag Kashyap

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap feels that movie buffs under the age of 30 years have a matured approach towards cinema and thanks them for giving him an opportunity to make his kind of movies

I would say that the audience under the age of 30 have matured. People, who are above 30 have not matured. They still have the same morality where for them, the language is crude or they raise eyebrows at sex scenes in the film, Kashyap said during an event here.

The younger lot is far more matured than the older lot because they have gone out and have found access to world cinema through the internet. And today if I am allowed to make films, it is because of that younger audience, he added.

Kashyap is known for bringing new wave of cinema with critically acclaimed 'Dev D', 'Gulaal' and 'Gangs of Wasseypur. He is now looking forward to the release of his production venture 'Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana'.

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Luv Shuv... script to turn into book?

If all goes as planned, the script of yet-to-be released "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" may soon be launched as a book! And, what's more, it will also reveal the secret Chicken Khurana recipe.

The book will be a joint effort by the film's director, Sameer Sharma, and co-producer Anurag Kashyap. Its last page is expected to reveal the recipe, around which the movie is set, said a source.

"We are exploring different marketing and promotional strategies for 'Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana' that releases Nov 2, and it will be great to see the script turn into a book. But it's very early to talk on this, " said Kashyap.

The book is most likely to be launched post the release of the movie.

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No formula to satisfy everyone: Anurag Kashyap

People should first make films they are excited about and then find the audience, says filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, readying for the release of "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana", his next production.

"There is not a single film that is for every audience. There is no such formula. They should just make films they are excited about and then figure out the audience, " Kashyap told in an interview.

The 40-year-old is currently basking in the success of his two-part crime drama, "Gangs Of Wasseypur-I and II".

"We cannot mould a film so that every one understands it. If you try to cater to everyone's needs, then you can only make a 'khichdi' (hotchpotch). Khichdi caters to everyone, " he said.

There is a lot of 'masala' in "Luv Shuv...", but it is not a kichdi, says Kashyap.

Directed by debutant Sameer Sharma, "Luv Shuv... " is releasing Nov 2.

"It is not a masala film but is about masala, " he said.

"It's like a film Hrishikesh Mukherjee used to make -- a cute love story with a good script. You will laugh because you will identify with so many things in the movie, " he said.

Anurag Kashyap, who earlier made "Dev D", a modern-day retelling of a 19th century story, spoke of audiences putting limits on creative people.

"People want a filmmaker to keep making the same thing, " he said.

But now audiences do not know what the filmmaker would do next, he said. And they are accepting new kinds of films, he added.

"It would be scary when they would wish to watch the same kind of films...like a few years ago, " Kashyap said.

He says pressure is good for a filmmaker.

"It keeps us on an edge and away from sticking to a formula. I will love that pressure than anything else, " he said.

For Kashyap, "cinema is everything".

"It was all I know and all I wanted to do. Cinema does a lot of things to people. It gives them experience, entertainment and provokes and evokes something in them.

"Cinema is more powerful than we think it to be. I just hope our government also starts taking Indian cinema seriously like governments in other countries, " he said.

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Anurag Kashyap to host chicken party

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and his actress wife Kalki Koechlin are planning to host a chicken party for their close friends, prior to the release of his production venture "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana".

The duo is said to have invited friends like Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Manoj Bajpayee for the party at their residence next week.

"There are many ideas that we are tossing around to celebrate Chicken Khurana and we are exploring several things like from throwing parties to staying at people's home to searching the true recipe of Chicken Khurana. It is a fun campaign that celebrate food, " said Kashyap.

The movie, which features Kunal Kapoor and Huma Qureshi, revolves around a popular Chicken Khurana recipe, and the party only seems to be in sync with the theme.

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Luv Shuv Tey... falls in gentle comedy genre: Kashyap

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap says that his upcoming production "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" reminded him of Hrishikesh Mukherjee kind of cinema, which is no longer made.

"After a long time I read a script which I found was in a zone that we no longer remember. You see 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Juno', then there were Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee films, this is like those gentle comedies," the 40-year-told reporters at an event here.

"People have stopped writing such films and somewhere I got a similar feel from the film," he added.

The film revolves around the hunt for a secret recipe - Chicken Khurana - that had made the Khurana Dhaba famous.

Lead actor of the film Kunal Kapoor says that the dish is used as a metaphor in the film.

"The name is Chicken Khurana but it could have been Paneer Khurana or Aaloo Khurana, the dish is not important. What is more important is what the dish represents," Kunal said.

"It is a metaphor for many things in the film, be it romance or family, there are a lot of things that the dish connects to," he added.

Directed by Sameer Sharma, "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" also stars Huma Qureshi and is slated for a Nov 2 release.

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Aiyyaa, Chittagong clash not planned: Anurag Kashyap

Two of Anurag Kashyap's films "Aiyyaa" and "Chittagong" are releasing on the same day. The filmmaker is insists the clash was not intentional, but he is confident it will not affect the business of the films.

" 'Aiyyaa' and 'Chittagong' releases were not intentional. It just happened. 'Chittagong' was due to release on Oct 12th and 'Aiyaa' was moved due to other things, " Kashyap told reporters here Monday.

"My first concern was to talk to both my producers and distributors that if they think (simultaneous) release of the films will affect each other. But it was known that both are different films and they have locked the quite a good number of screens for themselves. So it would not affect, " he added.

Kashyap is known to bring new wave cinema with critically acclaimed films like "Dev D", "Gulaal" and "Gangs of Wasseypur" Part 1 and Part 2. Most were small-budget ventures, but Kashyap says he hasn't suffered losses so far.

"We work backwards. We budget our films keeping in mind the worst that they might witness. So we don't really lose money. We either break even or make profits, " he said.

"Before '...Wasseypur', our films were making minor profits but after it released tables have turned. And now we have 'Aiyyaa', 'Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana' coming out together, so lets see where we go from here, but the thing is we will continue working in the same way, " he added.

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A chicken award from Anurag Kashyap!

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has adopted a unique promotional tactic for his forthcoming production "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana". He plans to visit cities and choose the best home chicken recipes and award them. 

"Every house has its own recipe which is not available on any menu. We will find private chicken recipes of various homes and will award it with the 'Chicken Khurana' award in every city," Kashyap said here Tuesday in an interview and added that he himself would also be cooking a chicken dish. 

"We will invite them to select ingredients from which I will then make a dish," he said. 

Directed by Sameer Sharma, "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" stars Kunal Kapoor and Huma Qureshi in lead roles and is slated for a Nov 2 release. 
When asked if the film is inspired by a Malayalam film made on the same subject, Kashyap said: "This is an original film. Someone wrote that there has already been a food film called 'Kaifi Ustad'. A food film was made there and one is being made here, that doesn't mean this is inspired." 

The 40-year-old further stated that "Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana" is a wholesome family entertainer. 

"Every person who said how can I watch 'Gangs of Wasseypur' with family, this film you can watch with everyone. Bring the whole country, whole city to watch it," he said. 

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SRK, Anurag are friends now

Looks like Kashyap and the actor are warming up to each other and could soon do a film together 

It looks like Shah Rukh Khan and Anurag Kashyap have finally warmed up to each other. Word is that both are finally looking at doing a film together.

While Anurag was recently spotted at SRK's Mannat, sources close to Kashyap inform us, SRK asked Anurag to make a film for him. Anurag agreed to it but on one condition.

The filmmaker told SRK that he would write a film and even narrate it to him but would hand over the bound script only after SRK signed the film.
Buzz about Anurag and SRK's friendship surfaced when the director along with his actress wife Kalki was seen leaving a party with SRK and Karan Johar. Later, all of them were spotted hanging out at Mannat. Also while Shah Rukh was in London shooting for Yash Chopra's next directorial venture, Anurag was also present there.

He was seen bonding with Anushka Sharma who stars in his next with Ranbir Kapoor. Apparently, SRK invited him over to his London home and played a perfect host to both of them. 

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Anurag Kashyap keeps his promises to Huma

Director gave his word to cast Huma Qureshi in his film when they did an ad together a couple of years ago

Anurag Kashyap knows how to keep his word. And Huma Qureshi can vouch for that. It was back in 2010 when Anurag directed his first ad that featured Huma. It was then that he promised that he would cast Huma in one of his films.

Huma recalls, Anurag and I share a joke that it was I who gave him his first break as an ad-film director. He directed Aamir Khan and me for a phone brand ad. I didn't take his promise seriously back then. And then, Anurag's gangster film happened.

And while the film is full of expletives with almost every actor getting to mouth the choicest of curses, Huma rues that Anurag didn't `grant her the same pleasure.

Huma points out, Growing up in Delhi taught me many such cuss words which I would have loved to mouth in the film. In fact, I don't even get to fire a bullet or throw a bomb! What fun it would have been...

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Anushka Sharma snubs Anurag Kashyap: No Bombay Velvet

While Anurag Kashyap states he has already signed Anushka Sharma for his upcoming film, the actress denies having any knowledge of it

Ever since Anurag Kashyap announced in April that Ranbir Kapoor has been cast in his ambitious project Bombay Velvet, there was also buzz that the filmmaker had signed Anushka Sharma as the female lead. But now it looks like that may not be true at all! 

When we spoke to Anurag a few days ago to confirm on which Bollywood actress has signed the dotted lines for the film, he simply stated, Anushka Sharma, it is!
However, the twist in the tale happened when we met Anushka to speak about the same and she stated, I haven't signed the project yet. It is still pending. So I can't comment on it until I sign the film. Is there some miscommunication then? 

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Going back to gangster roots

Director will premiere his new film in Dhanbad today. The city is the setting for this gangster saga

Anurag Kashyap's gangster film is based on gang wars in Dhanbad. In fact, several characters in the film are based on real-life people, some of who are lodged in the city jail.

In fact, buzz was that Faheem Khan, one of the mafia lords who are currently behind bars in Dhanbad, is keeping a close eye on the developments around Anurag's project.

However, unfazed, the filmmaker has decided to premiere the second part of the film in the city. The filmmaker confirms his presence in Dhanbad for the rpemiere that is scheduled to be held today. Incidentally, the film's music was supposed to be released there.

However, the makers later pulled out, citing security concerns. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays gang lord Faizal Khan in the film will not attend, as he is bust shooting for his next film opposite Bipasha Basu.

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Anurag Kashyap's film at Toronto Film Festival

Anurag Kashyap's film 'Shahid' on slain lawyer Shahid Azmi is officially selected for the Toronto Film Festival

Anurag Kashyap and Sunil Bohra's Shahid, based on the life of slain lawyer Shahid Azmi, is all set to be premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. The film has been officially selected from India to feature at the prestigious festival.

The film stars Rajkumar Yadav in the role of Shahid.

Hansal Mehta, the director of the film says, I'm overwhelmed. I feel vindicated that what I believed in most has been recognised. This is my most honest work to date and it gives me the impetus to continue making what I passionately believe in.

Sunil Bohra, the co-producer of the film said, Hansal is a friend of mine from the last 15 years but he had never gifted me anything. However last year on my birthday, he gifted me this script and let Anurag and I produce the film.

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Jailed Dhanbad ganglord keeping tab on Gangs Of Wasseypur 2

Apparently, Fahim Khan who is currently in jail has his eye on Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs Of Wasseypur 2' through his local cronies 

Dhanbad's most dreaded ganglord Fahim Khan, who is currently in Hazaribagh jail, is allegedly accused in scores of cases. Though behind bars, the henchman through his cronies and the cops is keeping tabs on Anurag Kashyap's upcoming film based on the coal mafia. The reason being that the project draws parallel from his real-life story. Kashyap's project has Nawazuddin Siddiqui's character apparently based on Fahim's persona. 

The makers claim that Zeeshan Qadri who is the film's writer as well as playing a role in the film is getting threat calls from Fahim's aides. Qadri is based in Dhanbad and his family still stays there. 
Dhanbad diary

Fahim Khan is one of the survivors of this gruesome rivalry in Wasseypur, a town a few kilometers from Dhanbad in Jharkhand. The names of rival dons Sabir Alam and Fahim Khan, lords of two mafia families are associated with Wasseypur where the film is set. 

Khan and Alam, once close pals, turned foes in 1995 and formed separate gangs that fought over extortion from contractors engaged in coal lifting and railway tenders. The frequency of their gang wars came down after both were jailed.

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Short films purest form of filmmaking: Kashyap

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap praises short films to the skies saying they are the best form of filmmaking because they are not made with any particular motive in mind.

"For me, short films are the purest form of filmmaking because when you are making it, you are making it just because you want to. You are not making it for it to be sold, you are not thinking of an audience, you are not thinking of anyone, " the 39-year-old said here Sunday at the launch of the website.

"You are only making a film and hoping it will do something. You are not making it to please anyone, " he added.

The website will have filmmakers present a series of short films that will be officially premiered. Ad filmmaker and TV producer Omar Haider is the man behind Largeshortfilms.com.

Kashyap, who is riding high on the success of "Gangs of Wasseypur", believes that short films have a bigger impact.

"Short films for me are largely director-driven and they kind of converge to one point. Feature film can be driven by many factors - cinematography, music, talent, story-telling and actors, you get the opportunity of everything. But short films are somehow to the point... they make one, solitary, larger impact, " he said.

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Gangs Of Wasseypur 2: Is 'Definite' a spoof on Salman?

Has Anurag Kashyap's past relationship with Salman Khan coloured his spoof on the actor in 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' sequel? 

Cinema, they say, often mirrors reality. No wonder buzz is that given his rather acrimonious relationship with Salman Khan, Anurag Kashyap has taken a dig at the actor in the second part of his gangster film.

While the first part of the film saw Manoj Bajpai and Tigmanshu Dhulia's characters locking horns with each other, the second part will see their respective sons carry forward the bitterness. Apparently, the character Definite, who is portrayed as Bajpai's son, is a spoof of Sallu. Definite is played by Zeeshan Quadri. 
Our source points out, `Definite will be seen in Salman's Tere Naam hairstyle. He even mouths dialogues from the actor's debut film Maine Pyaar Kiya and there are extensive references to him in the film. The body language of the character is also similar to Salman's.` 

The source adds, `Anurag had blasted Salman and his brother Arbaaz on a social networking site after his brother Abhinav walked out of their upcoming sequel. This proves that all is not well between Anurag and Salman and this could be his way of getting back at Sallu.

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I don't take any calls, not even from my wife!

Anurag Kashyap's reluctance towards answering his cell phone often compels wife Kalki to leave him messages on a social networking site 

While a rare few members of Bollywood still don't own a cell phone, Anurag Kashyap has devised a simple way to run far away from the madding crowd, despite owning one. His trick? The filmmaker never picks up any incoming call on his phone. 

So much so that even his wife Kalki often has to resort to leaving messages for hubby dear on a social networking site or has to resort to calling Anurag's Man Friday Murari Kumar. 

Anurag says, `I don't receive any call, whether it be from producers, director friends, journalists and even my own wife! My phone is always on silent. I get a barrage of calls everyday and if I answer them all, who will do my work?` We are hoping all husbands don't take a cue from this! 
Just like Anurag, Sonali Bendre too prefers to stay away from answering calls on the phone. In fact, the actress admits her family too has a tough time getting in touch with her. 

She states, `My family gets irritated with me. I do not even remember where I keep my phone. I am not a gadget friendly person. I prefer to be alone. My family has to then call on the landline.` In fact, the lady says her husband Goldie feels 'lucky' when she answers his calls! 

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The long and short of it

Anurag Kashyap, Sudhir Mishra and South director Chakri Toleti to make a series of short films for the digital medium

This is nothing short of a coup. Leading filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Sudhir Mishra and Chakri Toleti (of Billa 2 fame) have joined hands to make a series of short films that will be released in the digital formal across the country.

A source says, They promise to give music, drama and excitement of a full length feature film, in a short. The films will be treated like a normal feature film. There will be theatrical and promo releases, even a music release and then the final premiere. Each films will be for around 10 minutes and Mishra will be the first among the group to start work.

The man behind this initiative, ad filmmaker and TV producer Omar Haider, says, `Several other directors are in the process of joining hands with us. Our initial plan is to come up with 10-12 films with each one making one film at least and then we will plan the release and marketing of the film.

They will release on digital platforms like cell phone, Internet, etc. It is something that is a long-term plan and we know that it will take us a little time to break even on the financial front. But we intend to work on it for the first three years and then see how it goes forward.

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Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 music release inside a jail!

Buzz is that the music of Anurag Kashyap's gangster film part two could be released inside the premises of a Dhanbad jail

Trust Anurag Kashyap to do something hatke! With the release of part two of his film about Bihar’s coal mafia around the corner, buzz is that the makers have planned to release the music in a Dhanbad jail.

Our source says, “The music launch of the first part was also done in a unique manner. Jeeps were decorated with ribbons and banners of the film and were made to do rounds of Patna with the film’s tracks playing loudly onboard. After so much buzz, Anurag has decided to go one step further.”

Apparently, the makers have now applied for permission to make sure the music release of part two takes place inside the jail premises in Dhanbad.

Incidentally, coal mafia don Fahim Khan, on whom Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character was based, is lodged in a cell inside the same jail.

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