Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has reignited debate on Indian cinema’s relationship with politics, arguing that the space for politically charged storytelling has narrowed—and that some of his own kind of films would be far harder to make today.
Where he said it
Kashyap made the remarks during the “Fearless Filmmaking” session at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES), moderated by critic Baradwaj Rangan.
“Almost impossible” to make films like Wasseypur or Black Friday now
Pointing to his past work, Kashyap said making films like Gangs of Wasseypur or Black Friday today is “almost impossible,” suggesting that politically sensitive subjects now trigger controversy much faster than before.
The Germany / Adolf Hitler analogy
On why political cinema feels “missing,” Kashyap drew a historical comparison: in Germany, he said, films against Adolf Hitler came only after his death—adding that “everything has its own time.”
Learning from Iran and Russia
Kashyap also urged Indian filmmakers to take cues from directors in Iran and Russia who continue making bold work under tougher constraints, arguing that Indian directors should draw inspiration from their resilience and methods.
On “propaganda” and Marvel Studios
In the same session, Kashyap criticised the casual use of the “propaganda” label, arguing that calling a film propaganda can itself become a form of propaganda—and referenced Marvel Studios as an example of mass entertainment whose messaging is often not questioned in the same way.
Why it matters
Kashyap’s remarks land at a time when filmmakers increasingly weigh controversy risk against creative freedom—especially for stories that touch politics, power, or social conflict. His core point: if cinema retreats too far into safety, an entire genre of truthful, time-reflective storytelling can fade from the mainstream.
—By Manoj H