Films wield an unparalleled power to bring about social change and transform collective perspectives. Through compelling stories and visuals, they have the ability to challenge social norms, start conversations and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. India needs feminist, socialist, and independent filmmakers to diversify narratives and challenge prevailing norms in its film industries. However, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap doesn’t hold independent filmmakers in very high regard.
In an event in Kolkata, Anurag Kashyap was talking about the rise of feminist filmmakers whose films are trying to bring about significant social change. In his opinion, every filmmaker has the right to make whatever films they want. There are, however, the opportunists and then there are honest filmmakers.
“I firmly believe that every filmmaker should have the right to make every kind of film. I know most filmmakers personally, even the most problematic ones. The commercial filmmakers, the people behind films like KGF and Salaar, are of two kinds. There are the opportunists and those who are very honest about only wanting to make money and make hit films,” Indian Express quoted him saying.
He then went on to make a bold claim – that feminist and socialist filmmakers are mostly frauds who prefer to pull each other down and call each other names.
“But the filmmakers who seem to be feminists, socialists, revolutionaries… Let me tell you that 90% of them are frauds. They’re all posturing. After so many years of trying to put together so many independent filmmakers, I’ve realised that independent filmmakers are the worst. Because all they’re doing is pulling each other down and calling each other names. What is the difference between the so-called intelligent people and the so-called fools? The fools are united. The ‘intelligent’ people are busy pulling each other down.”
What are your views on his claims?