“Can Only Do Remakes”: Anurag Kashyap Takes Aim At Hindi Cinema While Praising Malayalam Film ‘Manjummel Boys’
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap took a dig at Hindi cinema while praising Malayalam films ‘Manjummel Boys’ and ‘Bramayugam’.
Ace filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, whose 2023 directorial venture ‘Kennedy’ premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival and received a seven-minute standing ovation at the star-studded event, seems to be in awe of the recently-released Malayalam films ‘Manjummel Boys’ and ‘Bramayugam’. The Indian filmmaker recently reviewed both the new Malayalam movies on Letterboxd. As he praised both the films, Anurag Kashyap also said that Hindi cinema is far behind, looking at what the Malayalam film industry has been doing.
In his review for ‘Manjummel Boys’, Anurag Kashyap wrote, “Simply extraordinary piece of confident mainstream filmmaking. So much better than all the big budget filmmaking in India. Such confidence, such impossible storytelling. I was wondering how does one even sell this idea to a producer. In Hindi they can only do remakes of such ideas. Hindi cinema really is so far left behind with three back to back brilliant Malayalam films.”
Anurag Kashyap also reviewed Mammootty-starrer ‘Bramayugam’, saying he is jealous of the audacity of the Malayalam filmmakers.
“I am just so jealous of Malayalam filmmakers .. the courage, the audacity, and the amazing discerning audience of Kerala that empowers the filmmaking..I am so insanely jealous,” he wrote.
Anurag Kashyap also praised Kiran Rao’s latest directorial venture ‘Laapataa Ladies’, which has been backed by Aamir Khan Productions.
Taking to Letterboxd, Anurag Kashyap wrote, “My heart is so full after seeing Kiran’s such soulful sincere film. Cried like a baby. And seeing a packed house brings back hope and faith in Hindi cinema and its audience. Beautiful writing, sincere and honest performances. Bliss.”
Anurag Kashyap then penned a note for ‘Laapataa Ladies’ on Instagram, saying, "Aah..made my day , after watching two back to back brilliant Malayalam films (Manjummel boys and Bramayugam) and feeling why are we not doing it in Hindi cinema and then saw that Kiran actually has gone and done it, like @vidushak did with AIR. It has been a great beginning of 2024 for cinema in India for me."
For the unversed, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ released in cinemas last week. The film has been received well by critics and cinephiles. However, the film is finding it difficult to attract footfalls in cinemas. The movie has not been even able to go past the Rs 10 crore mark.
