Anurag Kashyap’s Response to Criticism of Violence in Maharaja

New Delhi:

Raja, the thrilling action movie starring Vijay Sethupathi, showcases Anurag Kashyap in a menacing character as the primary antagonist. The movie, accessible on Netflix, has received acclaim for the acting quality and storyline. It has also faced some backlash for the harsh portrayal of violence. In a conversation with The Hindu, Anurag Kashyap has responded to the discussion and also discussed another recent film that has been criticized for its depiction of violence – Murder. “My most recent Tamil film, like Murder, has received a lot of backlash for its violent sequences, but that’s acceptable because some movies will evoke a reaction. I believe violence should be so authentic and intense that it genuinely deters you from it,” Anurag said.

Anurag Kashyap, gearing up for his Malayalam debut in Ashique Abu’s Gun Club, also expressed his admiration for regional films. He shared how impressed he was with the narrative style in Malayalam cinema.  Individuals here narrate original stories that are distinct to each person. The filmmakers are creating content for themselves rather than for the market. A film like Bhramayugam will never be produced in black and white in any other industry. It demonstrates that they are producing films they genuinely desire,” Anurag stated.

The accomplished director mentioned that many regional films are naturally pushing boundaries.  “Even the mainstream films are genuinely captivating. In a film like Avesham, they did not hold back from casting three influencers in significant roles,” Anurag Kashyap remarked.

Directed and scripted by Nithilan Saminathan, Raja revolves around a barber seeking revenge after his residence is targeted by thieves. Mysteriously, he informs the authorities that his “fortune” is missing and embarks on a mission to retrieve the elusive “fortune”.

In addition to Raja, Anurag Kashyap was also featured in Disney+ Hotstar’s Corrupt Cop. The eight-episode crime thriller is helmed by Aditya Datt and penned by Rensil D’Silva and Rehan Khan. Gulshan Devaiah and Harleen Sethi are also part of the ensemble cast.