Anurag Kashyap is — and has always been — a stereotype-breaking, gracefully out-of-the-box maverick filmmaker who has given Bollywood a new trajectory. From Raman Raghav 2.0 to Gangs of Wasseypur and the recently released noir thriller Kennedy, his work continues to challenge conventions.

Adding to his artistic repertoire, Kashyap has also stepped into acting, delivering notable performances in South Indian films including Maharaja and Rifle Club.

Known for his frank demeanour, Anurag often expresses his opinions without filters and remains a distinctive voice — both in terms of his cinematic work and his outspoken views in the Bollywood space.

What has recently caught the attention of cinephiles is Anurag’s engaging conversation with film critic Sudhir Srinivasan on his YouTube channel. In the interview, the acclaimed director speaks highly of another influential filmmaker in Indian cinema today — none other than Lijo Jose Pellissery, a leading voice in the Malayalam film industry.

Anurag recounted:

“I had landed in Kochi for an event. I had the option to go to either Lijo or Aashiq’s place. Since Lijo’s was closer to the airport, I opted to go there.”

He continued:

“I had a wonderful time with Lijo Jose Pellissery. He showed me footage of Jayan and Padmarajan. We discussed movies, some of the music in Malayalam cinema — all of it was outstanding. We talked at length. I mean, those are the kinds of conversations I enjoy.”

Drawing a contrast with Mumbai’s film culture, Kashyap added:

“In Mumbai, people do sit down to talk about movies — but it’s different. There, they talk about how much a movie made on its first day, its box office numbers — as if nothing else matters.”

Sudhir responded by saying that in the South, not only filmmakers but also the audiences are more inclined to engage in meaningful, expansive discussions about cinema and its creative possibilities.

Reflecting on how Bollywood has evolved, Anurag remarked:

“I actually don’t know when things started changing in Bollywood. We never thought about the box office while making Black Friday or Dev.D.”

Sudhir noted that, unfortunately, box office performance has “sadly” become the benchmark for success. Anurag agreed, calling it “even more terrible,” adding that films today are often judged solely based on commercial success — a practice he described as disastrous.

In a particularly heartfelt moment, Anurag paid tribute to one of Malayalam cinema’s greatest legends — Padmarajan.

“See, someone of Padmarajan’s stature didn’t see much box office success, but he changed the way other filmmakers think.”

Padmarajan is an absolute master, with the magic of his films continuing to resonate even today. From Kariyilakkattu Pole to Thoovanathumbikal and Njan Gandharvan, Padmarajan’s filmography remains a glorious chapter in the annals of Malayalam cinema. His craft, vision, and emotional depth continue to inspire awe and admiration across generations.

Anurag Kashyap’s words reflected deep respect for Padmarajan and a firm belief in cinema as an art form, not just a business — a sentiment he carries forward in his own fascinating journey in Indian cinema.

Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.