About this video

• Video Title: Anurag Kashyap | Manjummel Boys, Gangs of Wasseypur, Park Chan-wook, AI | The Longest Interview S3
• Channel: Chalchitra Talks
• Speakers: Anurag Kashyap, [Interviewer's Name - not explicitly stated but implied]
• Duration: 01:12:28

Overview

This video features an in-depth interview with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, discussing a wide range of topics including his films, the work of other directors like Park Chan-wook and Paul Greengrass, the state of independent cinema in India, the impact of AI, the importance of physical media, and his personal experiences and inspirations. The conversation also touches on filmmaking techniques, scriptwriting, and his views on art versus artist.

Key takeaways

• Filmmaking Philosophy: Kashyap emphasizes authenticity, the importance of real-life locations, and the "audacity" of filmmakers to create impactful cinema, contrasting it with the pressures and trends in mainstream Bollywood.
• Inspiration from International Cinema: He expresses admiration for directors like Park Chan-wook, Paul Greengrass, and Lee Chang-dong, citing their unique approaches and innovative storytelling.
• The Value of Physical Media and Books: Kashyap advocates for collecting physical copies of films and books, seeing them as essential for preservation and a more deliberate engagement with art, contrasting this with the ephemeral nature of digital content and social media.
• The Art of Storytelling: He discusses the difference between plagiarism and inspiration, the challenges of making personal films, and the importance of consent when drawing from real-life experiences.
• Critique of the Media and Industry Trends: Kashyap voices his frustration with clickbait journalism and the trend of forcing content to "trend" rather than focusing on organic quality and audience connection. He also touches on the impact of AI and the changing landscape of filmmaking.

Here are the movies and series mentioned in the video:

• Manjummel Boys: Discussed as a standout Malayalam film with impressive filmmaking and a memorable scene.
• Lokah: Mentioned as a low-budget Malayalam film with significant visual effects.
• Gangs of Wasseypur: Kashyap humorously references his own pirated CD of the film, stating his career exists because of piracy.
• Marriage Story: Listed as a film about falling out of love.
• Blue Valentine: Also listed as a film about falling out of love, noted for its intense and intimate approach.
• Kramer vs Kramer: Mentioned in the context of films about relationships falling apart, with its Hindi remake "Akele Hum Akele Tum" also noted.
• The Roses: A currently in-theaters film recommended by Kashyap, expected to be surprising.
• War of the Roses: The original film referenced in relation to "The Roses."
• Nishanchi: Kashyap's current film, described as a crime drama and a novel turned into a film, with a noteworthy double role performance.
• Minnal Murali: Mentioned in relation to actor Basil Joseph.
• Shaktiman: Mentioned by Basil Joseph as something he "wasted two years of his life trying to do."
• Ghachar Ghochar: Referred to as a great book that Kashyap might consider making a film about.
• The Fable / Jugnuma: Discussed in relation to Murakami's short story "Barn Burning" and director Lee Chang-dong.
• Burning: A film by Lee Chang-dong that Kashyap admires and has spent time discussing its origins.
• Decision to Leave: Praised for its freshness, innovative shots, and experimental approach by Park Chan-wook.
• Oldboy: Mentioned as a benchmark film by Park Chan-wook.
• The Handmaiden: Park Chan-wook's film that was in production when Kashyap was on a jury with him.
• Stoker: Park Chan-wook's Hollywood film, discussed in relation to Kashyap's own Hollywood offers.
• Challengers: Mentioned as a film Luca Guadagnino "stole from the studio."
• Adolescence: Highlighted as an example of a truly independent film that succeeded due to its grassroots nature.
• Succession: Kashyap receives a gift of the complete scripts for Season 2.
• Paul Greengrass films:
  • United 93: Kashyap loved this film and it registered him as a filmmaker.
  • The Bourne Ultimatum: Credited with changing the grammar of action films.
  • Captain Phillips: Another film by Greengrass mentioned.
• Steve McQueen films:
  • Hunger: Highly praised for its impact, particularly a 10-minute single take, and for introducing McQueen as a filmmaker.
  • Shame: Also mentioned as a great film by McQueen.
  • Small Axe series: Noted as very good.
• Sofia Coppola films:
  • Somewhere: Kashyap's favorite, which made him curious about Chateau Marmont.
  • Lost in Translation: Acknowledged as a great film.
• Martin McDonagh films:
  • The Banshees of Inisherin: Described as an "impossible film" and "something else."
  • Three Billboards: Also loved by Kashyap.
• Meiyazhagan: Mentioned as a beautiful, nuanced small film, though Kashyap hadn't seen it.
• Blue Valentine, Marriage Story, Kramer vs Kramer: Categorized as films about falling out of love.
• The Roses: Mentioned as a current film similar in theme to "War of the Roses."
• Manchester by the Sea, Revolutionary Road: Also mentioned in the context of personal films about relationships falling apart.
• Kennedy: One of Kashyap's recent films, discussed in relation to personal guilt influencing the climax.
• Bandar: Another of Kashyap's recent films.
• Battles of Algiers: Kashyap recommended this film, which the interviewer watched and loved.
• Salim-Javed's work: Mentioned as an influence on Nishanchi.
• Trishul, Deewar: Cited as examples of crime/drama films with sibling relationships, similar to Nishanchi's themes.
• Chaar Phool Hain Aur Duniya Hai: A documentary recommended by the interviewer.
• Kaminey: Mentioned in a discussion about pronunciation.
• Steve McQueen's Small Axe series: Mentioned as being very good.
• A.R.M. (Tovino Thomas film): Mentioned as an example of a low-budget film with visual effects.
• Sinners: Referenced in comparison to the double role in Nishanchi.
• Raman Raghav 2.0, Ugly: Mentioned in relation to locations where Kashyap shot films.
• Gulaal: Mentioned in relation to Kashyap's experiences growing up.
• Subramanianpuram: Mentioned as giving Kashyap courage.
• Paruthiveeran (Karthi's film): Mentioned as also giving Kashyap courage.
• Billy Wilder films:
  • Sunset Boulevard: Considered very personal by Kashyap.
  • The Lost Weekend: Also considered very personal by Kashyap.
  • Double Indemnity: Acknowledged as a great film, adapted from James M. Cain's book by Raymond Chandler.
  • The Front Page: Mentioned as a film by Wilder.
• Bala, Sethu, Pardesi, Nandha, Pitamagan: Films by Bala, mentioned briefly.
• Naan Kadavul: Had a significant impact on Kashyap, showing him how to see his own city (Banaras) cinematically.
• Satya: Mentioned in the context of outsider perspective in filmmaking.
• Kurosawa's autobiography: Recommended as amazing.
• Bergman's work: Discussed in relation to his ideology and filmmaking.
• Hitchcock by Truffaut: A book recommended for aspiring filmmakers.
• Woody Allen movies: Kashyap expresses admiration for his films.
• Cinema Speculation (Quentin Tarantino book): Discussed, with its audiobook narrated by Tarantino himself.
• The Godfather Notebook (Francis Ford Coppola): Mentioned as a valuable resource for directing.
• Mike Nichols' biography: Kashyap is currently reading it.
• Cameron Crowe's book on Billy Wilder: Recommended.
• Crime and Punishment (Dostoevsky): Suggested as a starting point for reading Dostoevsky after "Notes from Underground."
• Notes from Underground (Dostoevsky): Recommended as an easy starting point for Dostoevsky.
• The Outsider (Camus): Mentioned in relation to starting with easier reads.
• Diwaar Mein Khidki Rehti Thi (Vinod Kumar Shukla): A Hindi book mentioned.
• Leaves of Grass (Walt Whitman): Mentioned in relation to first editions.
• Tiger's Point: A film by Natesh Hegde.
• M (Fritz Lang film): Mentioned in the context of physical film copies.