Veteran filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has made a bold claim about the technical achievements of his 2025 crime drama Nishaanchi, asserting that the film’s visual effects (VFX) are superior to those in Hollywood’s critically acclaimed Sinners, which garnered an unprecedented 16 nominations at the 98th Academy Awards.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Kashyap highlighted the extensive VFX work that went into portraying the film’s central double role and credited his team at Red Chillies and cinematographer Sylvester Fonseca for delivering realistic visual results. He stated that Nishaanchi’s effects surpassed those of Sinners, a sweeping Hollywood epic by Ryan Coogler featuring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, a performance that earned Jordan his first Oscar nomination.
Director on Production Challenges and Dual Role Execution
The two-part film, set in Kanpur, stars Aaishvary Thackeray as twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo, whose lives collide amid familial feuds and underworld entanglements. Kashyap emphasised that unlike conventional VFX tricks, the production involved shooting sequences two months apart with the actor undergoing real physical changes including hair and beard adjustments to delineate the two characters convincingly.
“We shot both parts with VFX in 69 days. It wasn’t like we asked the actor to change shirt and come back on sets,” Kashyap explained, noting that they measured every element meticulously on set, resulting in two distinctly realised characters rather than the typical quick-change effects.
This hands-on approach reflects a broader shift in filmmaking processes, he added, praising the evolving styles in regional cinema where teams shoot and edit scenes in close succession, enhancing creative fluidity.
Mixed Reception and OTT Strategy
Despite Kashyap’s technical pride, Nishaanchi had a moderate box office performance, particularly after the first part’s theatrical release. The second installment was released directly to streaming platforms, where the complete two-part narrative found a wider audience.
Industry observers have noted a mixed response from viewers and critics alike, particularly around pacing and storytelling even as the film’s visual craftsmanship has been commended. Some sections of the audience appreciated Thackeray’s debut and the gritty narrative, while others felt the two-part split diluted momentum. These varied perspectives reflect ongoing debates about content execution and audience expectations in contemporary Indian cinema.
Nishaanchi is available for streaming on Prime Video, where it continues to engage viewers with its layered crime storytelling and ambitious technical execution.
What’s Next for Kashyap
Looking ahead, Kashyap’s next directorial outing, the noir thriller Kennedy, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone is set to premiere on ZEE5 on February 20, 2026. The filmmaker also has other projects in development, signalling a busy year ahead.
By – Sonali