Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap believes Bollywood is increasingly favouring patriotic and devotional stories, leaving fewer opportunities for filmmakers hoping to explore other genres.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Kashyap discussed the challenges of getting films made in the current industry environment. He said producers were finding it difficult to secure approval for projects outside the genres currently attracting attention.
“I was talking to a producer the other day, and they said, ‘We don’t know what to do’. You can make either a patriotic or a devotional film. Otherwise, nothing else is getting greenlit. That is a fact and a tragedy,” Kashyap said.
His comments come amid the success of films such as ‘Dhurandhar 2’, ‘Hanuman Ansh’ and ‘Border 2’, which have helped strengthen the presence of patriotic and devotional cinema in the Hindi film industry. Several other projects in similar genres have also been announced.
Kashyap, however, believes the current climate could create an opportunity for smaller, unconventional films to find their audience. He cited ‘Little Thomas’, an independently made children’s film that he is backing as an executive producer, as an example of the kind of project that deserves a chance.
Speaking about his involvement, Kashyap described himself as someone who helps filmmakers maintain their confidence and complete their projects rather than imposing his own creative vision on them.
“I see myself more as an enabler,” he said, adding that supporting a filmmaker’s morale and helping them bring a film to audiences were central to his role.
Directed by Kaushal Oza, ‘Little Thomas’ stars Gulshan Devaiah, Rasika Dugal and child actor Hridansh Parekh. The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 23 October.
Kashyap also questioned the way audiences and the industry categorise films featuring children. He argued that a young protagonist does not automatically make a film suitable exclusively for children, just as stories about growing up can appeal to adult viewers.
Referring to the Telugu film ‘Don’t Trouble the Trouble’, starring Fahadh Faasil and backed by SS Rajamouli, he questioned whether its cast or premise alone should determine its classification as a children’s film.
He also pointed to the popularity of coming-of-age stories and the series ‘Adolescence’ to illustrate how narratives involving younger characters can resonate strongly with adult audiences.
For Kashyap, the challenge facing filmmakers today extends beyond any single genre. He believes the industry needs room for varied storytelling, allowing smaller and more personal films to reach audiences alongside big-budget commercial productions.
