When Anurag Kashyap Surprised the Censor Board
When Anurag Kashyap Surprised the Censor Board
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, renowned for his bold storytelling and unfiltered opinions on creative freedom, recently opened up about how his perspective on censorship in India has evolved over time. The Gangs of Wasseypur director revealed that a personal experience with the censor board changed his understanding of the process.
In a candid conversation with Komal Nahta on his podcast, Kashyap admitted, “My views on censorship have changed a lot.” He recalled how his perception shifted after submitting one of his films for certification. “When I took my film to the censor board, I realised the people working there weren’t the issue. They were polite, respectful, and even surprised that my movie didn’t include violence or bad language. They laughed and said, ‘Sir, why do you always fight about compromise and capitalise?’” – When Anurag Kashyap Surprised the Censor Board
According to Kashyap, the officials were transparent about their limitations, explaining that they were simply adhering to the rules in place. “They told me with affection, ‘We’re only following the guidelines given to us. If you want change, filmmakers need to unite and push for it.’”
The filmmaker said this interaction completely altered his outlook on censorship. He began to view it not as a clash with individuals but as a systemic issue that requires collective reform. Kashyap believes that true progress will only come when filmmakers join forces to demand greater artistic freedom.
While he didn’t reveal which project sparked this turning point, Kashyap’s most recent film, Nishaanchi — a crime drama featuring Aaishvary Thackeray, Vedika Pinto, and Monika Panwar — hit theatres on September 19.
When Anurag Kashyap Surprised the Censor Board
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