Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has made headlines once again with his recent decision to leave Mumbai, the heart of the Bollywood film industry. In a candid interview, he shared that he wants to distance himself from the industry’s pressures and the people within it, describing the environment as “toxic.” While he didn’t disclose his new location, sources indicate that he may have relocated to Bengaluru.
Kashyap expressed his thoughts during a conversation with The Hindu, stating, “I’ve left Mumbai. I want to stay away from film people. The industry has become too toxic.” He further added that the pursuit of blockbuster films has overshadowed creativity, stating, “Everyone is chasing unrealistic targets, trying to make the next Rs 500 or Rs 800 crores film. The creative atmosphere is gone.”
His frustrations with the industry’s current state are shared by other filmmakers as well. Kashyap mentioned a significant number of his peers are also leaving, heading to places like Dubai, Portugal, London, Germany, and the United States. “These are mainstream filmmakers I am talking about,” he emphasized.
This isn’t the first instance where Kashyap hinted at his desire to move away from Mumbai. In previous remarks to The Hollywood Reporter, he lamented how the commercial pressures in filmmaking have stifled creativity. “It’s difficult for me to go out and experiment. Because now, it comes at a cost,” he explained.
Alongside this shift in his personal life, Kashyap is also diversifying his film projects. Recently, he took on the role of a presenter for the praised film “Footage,” starring Manju Warrier, and announced his involvement in the romantic-action thriller “Dacoit,” where he is set to play a cop.
Kashyap’s move reflects a larger trend among filmmakers seeking to break free from the commercial constraints of the industry, aiming for a more authentic and fulfilling creative process.
