Title: Akhtar saw Mukkabaaz & said, ‘You don’t like making money’: Anurag
Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed film, Mukkabaaz, which was released in 2018, has been making headlines again. The film, starring Vineet Kumar Singh and Zareena Wagh, is a sports drama that delves into the world of Indian boxing. Recently, Anurag Kashyap revealed that renowned screenwriter and poet, Javed Akhtar, had some harsh words for him after watching the film.
In an interview, Anurag Kashyap shared that Javed Akhtar told him that if he had shown Vineet Kumar Singh’s character winning at the end of the film, it would have been a huge commercial success. However, Akhtar’s comment didn’t stop there. He allegedly told Anurag, “You’ve a problem. You don’t like making money.”
Anurag Kashyap, known for his bold and unconventional storytelling, was not surprised by Akhtar’s comment. He revealed that he had anticipated a reaction like this from the veteran writer. According to Anurag, he wouldn’t have made the film in the first place if he wanted to show Vineet Kumar Singh’s character as a winner. He wanted to show the reality of Indian sports, which is often marred by corruption, politics, and nepotism.
Mukkabaaz tells the story of Shravan Kumar, a low-caste boxer from Uttar Pradesh who fights his way to the top despite numerous obstacles. The film is a scathing critique of the Indian sports system, highlighting the corruption and favoritism that exists at every level. Anurag Kashyap’s decision to show Shravan’s character losing in the end was a deliberate choice to convey the harsh realities of Indian sports.
In an industry where commercial success is often prioritized over artistic merit, Anurag Kashyap’s decision to defy convention and tell a story that is both uncompromising and uncomfortable is a testament to his courage as a filmmaker. Mukkabaaz may not have been a commercial success, but it has left a lasting impact on the Indian film industry and beyond.
Akhtar’s comment, while harsh, highlights the pressure that filmmakers face to conform to commercial expectations. Anurag Kashyap’s response to Akhtar’s comment is a powerful statement about the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision, even in the face of adversity.
The criticism of Mukkabaaz was not limited to its commercial prospects. Many reviewers and critics felt that the film’s portrayal of Indian sports was too harsh and unrealistic. However, Anurag Kashyap maintained that his film was a reflection of the reality of Indian sports, and that he was not trying to sensationalize or exaggerate the problems.
In an interview, Anurag Kashyap said, “I didn’t want to make a film that would be a feel-good, patriotic film. I wanted to make a film that would be a reflection of the reality of Indian sports. And if that reality is harsh, then so be it.” He added, “I’m not trying to say that all Indian sports is corrupt, but I am saying that there are certain aspects of it that are corrupt, and that’s what I wanted to show.”
Anurag Kashyap’s bold and uncompromising storytelling has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative filmmakers in India today. Mukkabaaz is just one example of his commitment to telling stories that are both powerful and uncomfortable. It is a testament to his courage and integrity as a filmmaker, and a reminder that sometimes, the most important stories are the ones that are hardest to tell.
In conclusion, Javed Akhtar’s comment about Mukkabaaz may have been harsh, but it is also a reminder of the pressure that filmmakers face to conform to commercial expectations. Anurag Kashyap’s response to Akhtar’s comment is a powerful statement about the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision, even in the face of adversity. Mukkabaaz may not have been a commercial success, but it has left a lasting impact on the Indian film industry and beyond.
