This essay deals with the life and work of celebrated filmmaker and enigma, Anurag Kashyap and deciphers his rise from a wannabe script writer to a director whose proficiency earned him acclaim from all quarters, be it film critics or the thousands of viewers across all spectrums of society. The essay attempts to explain this versatile artist’s background and personal life and its impact on themes he chooses to explore through his craft, his movies themselves and how they break the myth that commercial success and genuine cinema cannot go together, his influences, his visual approach and why the distinctive brand of cinema he brings to the table is here to stay. The essay begins with a look at his humble beginnings and struggle to find his place in this world and moves on to an analysis of his projects and themes. Next it talks about his influences and approach, moving onto his brief acting career and relationship with actors and muses he uses to showcase his thoughts to the world and his blatant disregard for convention in cinema or any aspect of life in general.
Anurag Kashyap’s ascent from near obscurity to the forefront of Indian cinema is something which has confounded many over the past few years. In fact, one could make an entire feature film on his life, something he would certainly like as his passion for the medium shows. His work which was once considered outlandish and bizarre is now considered surreal and studied in film schools across the country if not across the world. His urge to rebel against the shackles of established norms and to find his own voice which was once suppressed is now lauded by everyone who has seen his work. The honesty in his work, interest in unconventional, provocative and primarily dark themes and his passion now defines the entire milieu in which he began work as an outsider, with nothing to lose. Kashyap’s creativity and personal involvement