Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Fearless producers are making all the difference, says Anurag Kashyap

“They have made it possible for a stream of remarkable independent films to be made,” he added.

Fearless producers are making all the difference, says Anurag Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap, whose neo-noir thriller Kennedy is set to premiere at midnight on Wednesday at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, believes that the current upswing in independent cinema on the subcontinent is being fuelled by fearless young producers willing to put their money where their mouth is.

"It is a new crop of producers who have made all the difference," the Mumbai-based filmmaker said as he kicked off a panel discussion in the Canadian Pavilion here on the theme of 'South Asian Stories in a Global Film Market'.


"They have made it possible for a stream of remarkable independent films to be made," he added.

Canadian-born director-writer-producer Fawzia Mirza said the gradual chipping away at barriers has been a key stimulus for the new kind of cinema that is today emerging from South Asia.

"I think there are sometimes barriers and limitations, but it is beautiful that as a Canadian and an American I have crossed many boundaries. I would like to cross the India-Pakistan boundary a lot, too," she added.

"In the current film I am in post on (Me, My Mom & Sharmila) Sharmila Tagore and "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" (song from 'Aradhana') are a major touchstone. In my last feature (2017's Signature Move), Shabana Azmi played my mother," said Mirza.

Talking of cultural cross-pollination, New York-based Bangladeshi-origin film producer Anadil Hossain said: "It was Bollywood that gave me my first entry into Hollywood."

Among her American production credits are Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited and Doug Liman's Fair Game. "This year," she said, "is the 20th anniversary of the first Bollywood film that I was a part of, Kal Ho Na Ho, directed by Nikhil Advani."

"It is wonderful to see incredible new filmmakers come up from the subcontinent. They are opening up a new way for us. It is great to see the expansion and the growth although it is also true that we still have a long way to go," said Hossain, whose credits include Mira Nair's The Namesake and The Reluctant Fundamentalist.

Zarrar Kahn, director of the Directors Fortnight title In Flames, said he has been working in Karachi for the last 10 years.

"In Pakistan, Bollywood films are banned but we love to consume them. They were so larger than life that I was like we can never make those films. They are out of scale of what is possible," he said.

"Watching the films of Anurag Kashyap gave us the palette and the landscape for films that we could make in Karachi. I am grateful to him for creating that kind of cinema and blazing that trail," Kahn added.

On his part, Kashyap credited filmmakers such as Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta, Gurinder Chadha, and Shekhar Kapur for showing the way.

"Without what they achieved we would not even attempt what we are making," he said.

On the subject of making films under growing restrictions, Kashyap said: "The best of Iranian cinema that we saw came out at the most difficult times. Every time I lose hope, I go and look at those films. If they can do it, what are we complaining about? I genuinely think the best of our creativity comes out in adversity."

"In Flames," Kashyap said, "is so much more than a moody horror film. It talks about society, pulls out everything, and shows it bare naked. That hits you so hard in the gut."

He added: "I am a genre film freak. Genres evolved as a response to all kinds of repression. What were zombies if not Nazis?"

More For You

Priyanka Chopra Teams Up with John Cena, Idris Elba in 'Heads of State'

An elite MI6 agent played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Getty

Priyanka Chopra fronts action thriller ‘Heads of State’ with John Cena, Idris Elba

A dynamic of action, comedy, and political misadventure is set to hit Prime Video this summer with the release of Heads of State. The newly launched trailer teases a fast-paced, explosive ride featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Cena, and Idris Elba in lead roles. The film is slated to premiere globally on 2 July 2025.

Directed by Ilya Naishuller, the filmmaker behind Hardcore Henry and Nobody, Heads of State is billed as a cross between Air Force One and Midnight Run. The film places mismatched world leaders at the centre of a chaotic crisis that forces them to work together, despite their egos and rivalries.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rahul Bhatt Faces Backlash Over Comments on Alia and Pooja Bhatt

Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire

Instagram/ Maheshfilms

Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt

Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.

The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Harvey Weinstein

He has denied all allegations and continues to maintain his innocence

Getty

Harvey Weinstein's retrial begins with accusations of 'psychological hold' on victims

The retrial of former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein began in New York on Tuesday, after his 2020 rape conviction was overturned by the state’s Court of Appeals. Weinstein, 72, is being re-tried on charges of rape and sexual assault, which originally led to a 23-year prison sentence. He has pleaded not guilty.

The original conviction was quashed on grounds that the trial court allowed testimony from women whose allegations were not directly tied to the charges, which the appeals court ruled deprived Weinstein of a fair trial.

Keep ReadingShow less
Charli XCX Leads 2025 Ivors Nominations Honouring British Songwriting

'Brat' known for its sharp lyricism and bold production

Getty

Charli XCX leads 2025 Ivors nominations honouring British songwriting

Charli XCX, Lola Young and RAYE are among the key artists nominated for the 2025 Ivor Novello Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievement in British and Irish songwriting and composing. The nominations, announced ahead of the ceremony on 22 May in London, highlight a strong showing of both established and emerging talent across various musical genres.

Charli XCX’s album Brat has been nominated for Best Album, marking a significant moment in her evolving career. The record, known for its sharp lyricism and bold production, is one of the year’s most talked-about releases. She is joined in the category by Lola Young, whose debut album This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway also received a nomination. The project has been praised for its raw emotion and introspective songwriting.

Keep ReadingShow less
Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' sequel title revealed

The sequel, which will be directed by David Fincher and based on a script by Tarantino

Getty

Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' sequel title revealed

Fans of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are in for a surprise as the title for its highly anticipated sequel has reportedly been revealed. According to a recent interview with Michael B. Jordan, the sequel is set to be called The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth. The news has sparked excitement, and it's clear that Tarantino’s iconic character, played by Brad Pitt, will be at the centre of this follow-up film.

The sequel, which will be directed by David Fincher and based on a script by Tarantino, will see Pitt reprise his role as the rugged and enigmatic Cliff Booth. The storyline will reportedly take place around eight years after the events of the original film. This time, Booth is expected to transition into a new career as a Hollywood studio fixer, a role that aligns well with the character’s no-nonsense, tough-guy persona, which was showcased in the first film.

Keep ReadingShow less