In a heartwarming revelation, acclaimed Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently revisited a cherished personal memory from November last year – a chance encounter with his childhood hero, the legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid. The meeting, which Kashyap initially almost missed, turned into a classic fanboy moment that he has now elaborated on in a candid interview.
The Airport Encounter: A Dream Come True
Kashyap shared that the meeting occurred at an airport after a flight. In a chat with Mashable, the director confessed he was asleep during the journey and thus didn't spot Dravid onboard. The moment of realization came later. "When we got off the flight, we were in the same bus. And then I saw him, and I was gobsmacked. The whole fanboy in me came out," Kashyap recounted. He admitted to being impatient with others seeking pictures, simply wanting his own moment with the cricket icon.
The experience was elevated from great to unforgettable when Dravid not only agreed to a photo but also recognized the filmmaker. "And when he said, 'All the best, and thanks for all the work you do,' I was like, oh, he knows me. For him to know me is very special. He's literally the hero, the wall," said an overwhelmed Kashyap. The interaction ended on a light-hearted note as Dravid, true to his athleticism, sprinted up the stairs while Kashyap took the escalator, prompting the director to quip, "ah, there goes the sportsman."
Beyond Fandom: Kashyap's Take on Contemporary Cinema
Apart from sharing these personal anecdotes, Anurag Kashyap has also been actively voicing his opinions on the current cinematic landscape. In a recent discussion, he heaped praise on director Aditya Dhar's upcoming film, 'Dhurandhar'. Kashyap commended the project for its sheer scale, ambition, and unapologetic mass appeal.
Highlighting his long-standing acquaintance with Dhar since the National Award-winning film 'Boond', Kashyap focused on the director's conviction. "It's his politics. Genuine politics. Agree or disagree with it. Man is honest. Not an opportunist like others," he stated. While he acknowledged the film's propagandistic elements, which he compared to Oscar-winning American films like 'The Hurt Locker', he chose to look past them. "I ignored the two propaganda dialogues and loved the filmmaking and stubbornness of the filmmaker," Kashyap explained, also singling out Ranveer Singh's performance as his favourite, describing it as "so secure." He concluded by calling 'Dhurandhar' a "significant film."
A Voice of Candour in Bollywood
This blend of personal fan moment and professional critique underscores Anurag Kashyap's unique position in the Indian film industry. Whether he is being a star-struck admirer of a sporting legend or offering an unfiltered review of a peer's work, Kashyap's perspectives continue to generate interest and discussion among cinephiles and the general public alike. His ability to separate the artist from the art, appreciating craft even amidst political disagreement, adds a nuanced layer to film discourse in the country.
