Anurag Kashyap

We often have directors over for chats, but director Anurag Kashyap enjoyed his chat with rediff readers so much he wasn't ready to say goodbye -- the conversation went on well past the appointed hour.

Questions poured in for the director, whose Black Friday finally releases February 9, and he was ready to tackle it all with customary candour. Here's what went on, for those who missed it:

Anurag Kashyap says, Hi Everybody, sorry i was stuck in traffic

rajshr asked, hi anurag..does black friday covers all the insight,,in & out of mumbai blast..
Anurag Kashyap answers, It covers as much as it can with the time constrains and the information available to us. Its as honest and objective as it could have been.

prasad asked, hi anurag i have 2 queries 1.Why you chose to be a filmmaker? 2.In brief ur journey in becoming filmmaker
Anurag Kashyap answers, 1. I didn't know any better. 2. Its been a rollercoaster ride more downs than up. Its a lot of struggle, if you want to stick to the integrity of your film, its easier if you compromise. I chose the former.

rajshr asked, hi anurag,its good 2 c finally u wl get due for ur job done....
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thanks Rajshri

rachit asked, i it true that a new actor name tushar is gonna feature in your next film we have heard hes a doctor based in london
Anurag Kashyap answers, Doctor Tushar did the research on Black Friday and he has done walk on roll in Gulal. He is a friend.

gyan asked,  you still respect mani sir
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes i do.

shruti asked, hi i met u on the set of no smoking, remember me?
Anurag Kashyap answers, No, Can you remind me?

Kshitij asked, anurag, I am a big fan of yours. I am still waiting to see Paanch. I think there is a marathi movie with Nana patekar with the same theme, different treatment.
Anurag Kashyap answers, The marathi film is called Maficha Sakshidaar. Yes there is a similarity between the two. They are both inspired by the jakkal killings in pune.

sid asked, hi anurag kashyap..i listen to the song mai khuda from PAANCH regularly..super thoughts..loved ur work in yuva and nayak..sorry but have seen ur black friday on pirated vcd..will see it in theatre also..waitin for gulal,no smoking..best of luck
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank you Sid.

phew asked, sir am a really big fan of urs
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thanks

phew asked, btw wid which movie did u start ur career
Anurag Kashyap answers, The first film i wrote was Jayate for Hansal Mehta which never got released. My first release as a writer was Satya.

siddharth asked, hi i loved ur play Sir sir sarla...excellent acting...was my first play in mumbai (prithvi)...now m in US and miss all tht
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank you siddharth. I have finished with my theatre acting.

rajshr asked, hi anurag,its good 2 c finally u wl get due for ur job done....
Anurag Kashyap answers, Hope so. Thank you very much.

vcvncv asked, Why do u make art films?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I don't make art films. See my films and then tell me.

Floyd asked, Hi Anurag, Waitin to watch Paanch and Black Friday..
Anurag Kashyap answers, Me too :)

virajd asked, Is black Friday releasing in theatres in Thane, Dombivli? or only on mumbai
Anurag Kashyap answers, Its released 60 prints in Bombay Territory which includes Thane and Dombivili

vcvncv asked, Which movie do u wish u had made as a director?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Lage Raho Munnabhai.

avinash asked, hiiiiiiiiiiiiii Anurag why r u choose this topic to the make a Film Black Friday??????????
Anurag Kashyap answers, Because of the book i have read. when first time i got any kind of perspective on the blast. Read the book you would also want to make the film.

Vipin asked, How did u go about collecting information on the 93 blasts?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I had a research team, plus mid-day is my producer. I got the news footage from newstrack and some still photographs from various news papers.

Saurab asked,  Hi Anurag....i just have i one question to ask you. Is there any special screening of Paanch any where in India...no matter in the entire India...i can go anywhere to watch that movie...as i am dying to watch that movie...please give me the reply...plz
Anurag Kashyap answers, Keep your fingers crossed. If the Black Friday works Paanch will be automatically released.

vcvncv asked, how did it feel to be fined on the sets of No Smoking?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Very bad. I don't like to let go off my cigarettes. I never before have smoked such a expensive cigarettes.

vcvncv asked, Do u like working with John Abraham?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I love John Abraham.

ABC asked, Hi NAurag, what is yr next project??? & what happened to Paanch..
Anurag Kashyap answers, My next project is No Smoking. It will release in June. Paanch will also release hopefully.

rajshr asked, anurag, does it covers any insight on the life of film finance & linkage of underworld with bollywood celebrities..
Anurag Kashyap answers, The film sticks to the blasts. Its nothing to do with the bollywood.

ABC asked, & i hope all yr latkao films will b released soon.
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thanks Abc me too.

ABC asked, Hi Anurag, Congrats & All the BEst for yr forthcoming film..
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank you again

vcvncv asked, When will Paanch be released?and when will u make movies with mainstream actors?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I am making No Smoking with John Abraham and Ayesha Takia. My Paanch will release soon.

Bol asked, Why do u make only BLACK movies ? Are you so cut up with society ? Or u don't see light at the end of the tunnel ?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I am very cut up with society but i do see light at the end of the tunnel.

Sushant Chimulkar asked, I hope after this friday there won't be any looking back and that all the fridays will be colorful
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You Sushant.

SamT asked, Hi Anurag, How did the choice of Indian Ocean come about for the music? The music is awesome, by the way.
Anurag Kashyap answers, I have been a big fan of Indian Ocean for many years.

Vipin asked, Do you think the age of making run-of-the-mill (running around trees types) movies are passe? ver tried or plan to try your hands on such type of stuff?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Both kind of films will be made and they are both necessary.

Vipin asked, the 93 blasts accused had said that Black Friday could INFLUENCE their verdicts against them... Your take?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Now that the verdict is out and there is no conflict between the verdicts and what my film says so that goes my point.

manik asked, I am a big fan of your and RGV kind of movies, I work in IT sector but I want to be a film director, can you pls guide me how to go about it as in from where to make a start, is it must to be from a film institute (I am 23 nd planning to give FTII exam this yr), I think ur advice can be of gr8 help since u have made it on your own, plsssss reply in bit detail(if it's possible for u )
Anurag Kashyap answers, First thing you have to do is, if you really want to be a film maker than you have to be in the battle field. Pack your bags and come to Bombay and there is nothing like hands on experience.

ajay asked, HAI ANURAG..I AM A STUDENT IN LONDON..I LOVED THE SONG IN BLACK FRIDAY..I LOVE MAKING FILMS..THAT TOO TYPICAL REALISTIC ONE..CAN I JOIN YOUR TEAM..WAITING FOR A GOOD REPLY FROM YOU..
Anurag Kashyap answers, Ajay i have a very big team. By the time there will be a vacancy it will be another year. If you are there at the right time why not.

pras asked, recently salman appreciated your work in one of the interviews...whats your take on that
Anurag Kashyap answers, Did he? Where?

abhishek chourasia asked, just describe the exact meaning of black friday??????//
Anurag Kashyap answers, A Friday that is so dark that it can never be erased

Rinku asked, Hi Anurag, Can u tell me what Black Friday is about?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Black Friday is about the 93 bomb blast and the police investigation and the conspiracy that emerged out of it.

Raghav asked, Tell me about your hobbies Anu...
Anurag Kashyap answers, Reading, watching lots of films and walking in New York.

Jay asked, hi..sir..in ur research had you tuff time to get information from POLICE , "khabri of police ",and alleged criminals ??..and how u got information from them..was it tuff..
Anurag Kashyap answers, I had Mid-day my friend. They made it easier for me.

sourabh asked, anurag why did u choose ind ocn for the music of black friday?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I love Indian Ocean.

sagar asked, Is black friday having songs?
Anurag Kashyap answers, 3 songs in the background.

hansrajdude asked, It is good to see your name in print and other mass-com media...does your memories fall back on our hostel days sometime?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes i remember everything. Who are you?

paharia asked, hi. i attended one of ur workshop in mumbai, now i m in delhi and working with a animation college. r u still conducting workshops on film making and script writing????
Anurag Kashyap answers, Not in the near future.

veerjee asked, I am working in UAE i see u movie black friday it is great movie . Now my question is that u will make another movie about 11.07.06 Mumbai eposide
Anurag Kashyap answers, No, one is enough. Next time if i have to make a film on a similar subject i will make it from a individuals point of view. A personal story.

Rocky asked, do u feel a film like No smoking or even black friday will find acceptance,apart from d multiplexes audience,specially in d interiors and other places
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes.

jimmy asked, the budget of black friday???
Anurag Kashyap answers, After the court case 8 crores

kannuz asked, Hi Anurag How r u.? i am kannuz from kochi..Is sanju Baba is there in the movie "Black Friday".?
Anurag Kashyap answers, No.

hansrajdude asked, hey kashyap-wa, this is your old hostel mate from Hansraj....
Anurag Kashyap answers, Kabira sa ra ra ra

pras asked, how do you rate the three khans
Anurag Kashyap answers, Aamir, Saif and SRK

sourabh asked, how has the wait been??
Anurag Kashyap answers, painful.

abhishek chourasia asked, in today scenarion,wht kind of expectaion u hav????????/
Anurag Kashyap answers, All and nothing.

haha asked, Did writing about Amitabh Bachchan's performance get u into trouble?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes very much.

BaadshahKhan asked, hey anurag, how are you doing? I have been waiting for Black Friday and Paanch forever man!
Anurag Kashyap answers, Me too yaar.

Floyd asked, and have there been any cuts in the Movie???
Anurag Kashyap answers, No

kunal asked, would u ever like to make a film on frank miller comic books or stuff like that...noir heroic stuff.
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes yes yes. Can you get the rights.

atul asked,  Hi,would we be able to watch Black Friday the way u want us, without any cuts
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes.

Raghav asked, Hi Anurag, which is your next projects? what are the future plans?
Anurag Kashyap answers, After Black Friday release i will release No Smoking then will completer Gulal for a Sept release and year end will see my first animation movie Hanuman Returns.

Floyd asked, Must be a great feeling to see Black Friday Finally releasing this weekend... (After all this time and effort)
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes its a relief.

Raghav asked, Hi Anurag, What did it inspired you to do this film?
Anurag Kashyap answers, The book and my producer Arindam Mitra.

pras asked, will u work with any of the khans
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes but would they work with me.

kunal asked, lage raho munnabhai is dilution of munnabhai...thts wat i feel....puttin complex gandhism into the innocence of munna ...jst kills it.
Anurag Kashyap answers, I disagree.

vikas sanap asked, tell about me black friday and now role about k k menon in same picture
Anurag Kashyap answers, Kay Kay plays Rakesh Maria, the investigating officer.

sahilfromaus asked, is black friday releasing overseas as well like Australia?
Anurag Kashyap answers, It releases US on 9th and rest of the world will see the film later.

Saurab asked, r u a big fan of Frank Miller
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes.

Rosh asked, Hi Anurag! How relevant do you think your movie could be after all these years? Bigger tragedies have come to occupy the mindscapes of people. Or do you think it's just a movie at the end of the day and we should see it with just that in mind and not expecting any answers or futrher questions?
Anurag Kashyap answers, I think the relevance of Black Friday is still there and will remain so. Yes there are bigger tragedies but that does not make what happened in 1993 negligible. Its not just the movie at the end of the day. There will be lots of questions and i am ready to face them.

maverick asked, i read ur blog ,i loved the post regarding award function in bachan lwans
Anurag Kashyap answers, Ya.

Ankit asked, According to me Nasir, Om Puri and Pankaj kapoor are the three best actors this country has produced. Who do u think are the best?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Add Aditya Srivastia, Kay Kay and loads of others. They just haven't got the opportunity.

kamran ali asked, did you know your ayesha takia won screen award for best actress and had recently sign main role opposite aamir khan in ghajini remake
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes i know she is a brillant actor and deserves every thing she can get.

hansrajdude asked, when will you and Manoj Bajapi re-unite?
Anurag Kashyap answers, pata nahin

k4_kunal asked, How much authentic are the facts n names mentioned in the movie & how much fiction has been used?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Everything except the chase sequence is authentic.

vinhayak asked, Hi anuragh , Are you interasted in romantic film producing ?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes romantic, erotic anything but my way or the high way.

ashwin asked, hay tell us something about no smoking also . i feel sad about the released controversies about black friday and paanch
Anurag Kashyap answers, No Smoking is kafka meets kaufman meets fincher meets david dhawan. Keep wondering.

luvfortruth asked, Hi anurag, congrats for your first release to see the light of day. I am happy for you and happy that I will be able to watch the movie you made painstakingly. Can we get to watch PAANCH also? if so, when? if not, can we get it through any other channels of distribution if not theaters and DVDs??
Anurag Kashyap answers, Everybody who wants to watch Paanch. Please take out a protest march or light candles at India gate against the distributors of the film industry. Paanch needs justice.

Floyd asked, We wish you all the Best... May your efforts be rewarded.... and hoping to catch your Films on 1st Day...
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank you Floyd.

Nits asked, Whether you recived any threat from underworld while making movie
Anurag Kashyap answers, No

punit asked, Hi Mr. Anurag. I would like to ask u tht have u included the testimonies of the victims of the blast, have u met them? I would also like to ask u tht have u met the conspirators family members and wht was their take on ur film of ur subject??????
Anurag Kashyap answers, I met the accused and some of the family members but before they saw the film. I will come to know of their opinions after the film releases.

Jayu asked, ok..and sir do u think that your film will show correct events & correct ppl who did this...and havu ever received death threats .??
Anurag Kashyap answers, The film is as correct as it could have been, I have never received death threats except from my friend who promised to kill me if i dont get released this year.

Sarfraz1 asked, Hi Anurag.. Are you planning to come up with a movie on Mumbai riots prior to 93 bomb blast?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Albeit in a very small way but riots are also part of Black Friday.

rolston asked, hi anuraag!do uu know that Black Friday was available in the VCD and DVD market in 2005?Most of my friends have watched it then.
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes i know. Hopefully all your friends and you will watch it again on Big screen. And this goes out to everybody. If my film does not make enough money just because half the country has already seen it then there never will be another Black Friday made here.

Ari asked, I would like to ask you a question that nobody seems to answer honestly. Please tell me would anybody ever bother to take up the issue of Hindu exploitation seriously, as has been the casein Pakistan and in some parts of our country
Anurag Kashyap answers, What happens in Pakistan is for pakistanis to make a film on. I am answerable to my country and not my religion.

1 asked, I want to write lyricx for u..if u allow i can send u some of my lines..lines which were now getting any importance in this bikau industry...
Anurag Kashyap answers, Mail them to me.

kamran ali asked, what type of double role is ayesha takia is playing?
Anurag Kashyap answers, She plays John Abraham's wife and the secretary.

Subhadeep asked, do you have a blog!!!!! i didn't know that . Can you send me the link?
Anurag Kashyap answers, www.passionforcinema.com

suweta15 asked, hi first of all let me wish you all the best
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You

WithinIndia asked, Whether your film will give justice to recent bomb blast of 2006....please comment.
Anurag Kashyap answers, My film is about 93 bomb blast and they were very different in their politics and reasons than the 2006 blasts.

Ankit asked, Why do so called great directors like sanjay leela bhansali, yash chopra, karan johar etc get appreciated for making crap films like DEVDAS, BLACK, VEER ZAARA, KANK etc? Why is it that film makers like Sudhir Mishra, Jahnu Barua etc are ignored by our media?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Mediocrity is King.

raminder asked, i have seen ur pirated one many time and i know u r movie is going to be super duper hit
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank you but it will happen only if you see it many times on the Big screen too.

Ajay Ex-Madhav 89 asked, We scindians are proud of you.
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You Ajay. Which Ajay is this?

abdaal rules asked, Hi Anurag...do u think the victims of the blast have got justice??
Anurag Kashyap answers, No, they haven't got complete justice. Nothing could ever replace their loss.

kishore asked, Hi Anurag, My Best Wishes to your upcoming movie..
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You.

tanvi asked, tell us about your hansraj days.. i used to love you so much
Anurag Kashyap answers, Tanvi you never told me.

manuj asked, Does we Indians over react on the contemprary controversial topics when catch on the Celluloid?
Anurag Kashyap answers, We Indians don't. Our politicians do.

Noorul Ain asked, Mr. Anurag Who is your best actress in Bollywood ???
Anurag Kashyap answers, Juhi Chawla, Ayesha Takia and Konkona Sen.

apurva asked, When will we get to see panch and gulal?
Anurag Kashyap answers, This year.

Ganny asked, Hi Anurag, was it the theme of the movie and its Noir feel that led u to Choosing Indian ocean or just like that?
Anurag Kashyap answers, No i simply love them. They are the best band this side of the world period.

raminder asked, hi anurag i am very happy that u r movie black friday going to release
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You,.

vinay asked, were u under political pressure ?
Anurag Kashyap answers, No

Shweta asked, HI ANURAG PLZ GIVE ME ONE CHANCE IN YOUR FILM.
Anurag Kashyap answers, Screen test when i am casting. Meet Gautam, my casting director.

alok asked, Hi, Anurag r u planning to make any movie on Godhra issue
Anurag Kashyap answers, No

AnkitJain asked, Hi Anurag, I am a student at UC Berkeley in California and am looking forward to your release of Black Friday this week. I am the directory of an A Cappella Music Group and would love if you listened to our recording while you chatted with users. It is at http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~ankit/UCB-JiyaJale.mp3. What was your biggest challenge making black friday? Thanks, and good luck with everything!
Anurag Kashyap answers, will check out your music. Biggest challenge to get it right.

apurva asked, Hi anurag finally your paitent paid off and we will get to see the vision of young talent called ak on big screen.Iam going to see Black Friday on the very first day.
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You.

Subhadeep asked, I am a big fan of yours... I wish you all the best ......... I hope you win the Golden Palm at Cannes oneday and make India proud
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thank You.

san asked, hai anurag my qustion is what main purpose of black friday
Anurag Kashyap answers, Arey rukh ja re bandhey.

anahita asked, How did u have da courage to show sumthng like dis just after the blast???? knowing how bad the consequence would be ?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Sometimes you dont need the courage. You just have to be innocent.

babu asked, hai Anurag, what is ur expectation of new film?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Massive expectation.

shatrughan asked, hi anurag, i am your great fan and i am eager to catch black friday.i want to ask you one question today movies are going far from real life??why are quality of stories of movies gowning down?its true now bollywood lacking educated persons?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Bollywood does not lack talent, it lacks audience who will go and see films like parzania and not wait for it to come out on pirated dvd. If you want better films then patronise them. But if you are going to spend your money on Dhoom 1 you will get dhoom 2.

Biplab asked, Hey Anurag We watched ur movie Black Friday couple of years back. Now what's the matter to release the same movie again
Anurag Kashyap answers, You must have seen it in a festival or a pirated dvd. Its not the same thing.

Noorul Ain asked, Hello Anurag This Noorul Ain from Jeddah Saudi Arabia
Anurag Kashyap answers, Hi Noorul i have never been to Jeddah. I believe you have good food there.

WithinIndia asked, Was there was resistance from Film Industry towards this bold subject movie? Appreciate your reply
Anurag Kashyap answers, There was no resistance neither was there any affection.

Arati asked, Hi Anurag.. I loved Satya and have always wondered why there cannot be another Satya.. I still refer to Manoj Bajpai as Bhikhu Mhatre.. Do masterpieces happen just as simply as most writers claim?
Anurag Kashyap answers, They happen by chance. There can't be another Satya as there can never be another Sholay.

amit999 asked, dont u feel the chase sequence is too long?i mean,u as a director loved it..but i dont think the audience will appreciate it..
Anurag Kashyap answers, I loved the chase sequence, and i will always love it.

tanvi asked, Hi..I was in hansraj college.. your junior.. and had a big crush on you... do you remember me
Anurag Kashyap answers, No sorry,.

Ajay Ex-Madhav 89 asked, Hi Anurag! I just wanted to let you know that we Scindians are proud of you....keep the good work up....Ajay Arora Ex-Madhav 89 batch
Anurag Kashyap answers, Hi Ajay, How are you? call me sometime. Dhruv Chauhan has my number.

samrat asked, hi kashyap, how are you? Lots of wishes for black friday.am your junior in hansy and hazarika's batch mate..dont know whether u can remember
Anurag Kashyap answers, Hi Samrat, How are you? i remember. How is Hazarika? Is he still married to Sonali?

anahita asked, I think you have done a superb job..I realy lved da movie.. Congratssssss for making such a real movie, its an eye opening for every one..!!!!!!!!!
Anurag Kashyap answers, Thanks

vinhayak asked, Hi Anu Can you make film with Madhuri Dixit
Anurag Kashyap answers, Why not?

Subhadeep asked, The other day I watched a tv program in which you said that Vittorio desica's "ladri de bicyclette" was a turning pt in your life. Do you know that Satyajit Ray was also a very big admirer of the film? Do you follow the works other European film-makers like Bergman, Fellini, Bunuel or tarkovsky?
Anurag Kashyap answers, yes except Bergman i have seen everybody elses every film.

pranayprasoon asked, IS KK your most favourite actor?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Yes

LateshLuhar asked, Is it really Anurag in chatting or anyone else chatting in his name?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Its me Latesh, How are you?

Sumit Prasad asked, hi - how are you doing KA
Anurag Kashyap answers, Hi Sumit Prasad, doctor saale kamine, 7 taarikh ko delhi aa raha hoon black friday ka premier hai. pvr saket pe. mil.

Secular asked, hey anurag i want to write a script for u what should i do ?
Anurag Kashyap answers, Mail it to me at anuragkashyap2000@yahoo.co.in

Anurag Kashyap says, Hi guys i have to go. Any queries email me on anuragkashyap2000@yahoo.co.in