Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has voiced concerns regarding the current climate of the Hindi film industry, asserting that securing project approval has become increasingly difficult unless a film falls under the patriotic or devotional genres. Kashyap, who has shifted his focus towards acting as an enabler for smaller, independent projects, described this trend as a significant tragedy for the creative landscape.
In a recent discussion, the producer highlighted the challenges faced by filmmakers attempting to create content outside of these dominant themes. He noted that even established producers are struggling to determine what kind of content will be commercially viable in the current market. According to Kashyap, the industry seems to be operating under a narrow mandate where projects lacking patriotic or religious elements are frequently overlooked or rejected by those responsible for greenlighting films.
Despite these industry-wide hurdles, Kashyap is moving forward with the release of the children's film Little Thomas, directed by Kaushal Oza and starring Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Dugal. The film, which is set in Goa and follows the story of a young boy yearning for a younger sibling, is scheduled for a theatrical release this Friday. Kashyap remains hopeful that the film will find its audience despite the prevailing market focus on larger, thematic blockbusters.
Kashyap explained that his current role in the industry is primarily to boost morale and assist creators in completing and releasing their work. He argued that the definition of genres like children's films is broader than the industry currently acknowledges, pointing to examples like Shashank Yeleti’s Don’t Trouble The Trouble as evidence of more diverse storytelling attempts. He suggested that international productions, such as the psychological crime series Adolescence, further demonstrate the demand for a wider variety of narratives, even if those stories are intended for adult audiences.
The box office data from 2026 appears to support Kashyap’s observation regarding commercial success. The year has seen massive earnings from films rooted in patriotic fervor and devotional sentiment. For instance, the spy thriller Dhurandhar 2, which depicts an Indian spy operating in Pakistan, reportedly amassed Rs 1813.39 crore globally. Similarly, the period war drama Border 2, focused on the 1971 conflict, secured over Rs 450 crore in worldwide earnings.
Devotional cinema has also seen notable financial success. The film Hanuman Ansh, which features the spiritual figure Neem Karoli Baba, was produced on a modest budget of approximately Rs 2 crore but went on to earn Rs 450 crore globally. Aside from occasional outliers like the crime thriller Drishyam 3, these genres have dominated the top-performing list at the Hindi box office throughout the current year.
Kashyap’s critique highlights a growing tension within Bollywood between the push for commercially successful, genre-specific cinema and the desire for more diverse, experimental storytelling. As he transitions his efforts toward supporting smaller-budget films, the industry continues to reflect a strong public appetite for narratives that align with nationalistic and spiritual themes, leaving filmmakers like Kashyap to navigate a challenging path to secure backing for projects that do not conform to these prevailing trends.
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