Title: Akhtar saw Mukkabaaz & said, ‘You don’t like making money’: Anurag
Anurag Kashyap, the renowned filmmaker, has recently shared an interesting anecdote about his experience with renowned screenwriter Javed Akhtar. The incident dates back to the time when Anurag’s film ‘Mukkabaaz’ was released. In a recent interview, Anurag revealed that Javed Akhtar had told him that if he had shown Vineet Kumar Singh’s character, Shravan, winning at the end of the film, it would have been a huge commercial success.
However, Anurag rejected this suggestion, stating that he wouldn’t have made the film to show Shravan as a winner because he wanted to show the harsh reality of Indian sports. According to Anurag, Javed Akhtar’s response was, “You’ve got a problem. You don’t like making money.”
‘Mukkabaaz’ is a sports drama film that released in 2017. The film tells the story of Shravan, a young boxer from Uttar Pradesh who fights against the corrupt system in the sport. The film received widespread critical acclaim for its unique storytelling and powerful performances.
Anurag Kashyap’s decision to show Shravan’s struggles and eventual defeat in the film was a deliberate choice, aimed at highlighting the harsh realities of Indian sports. The film’s climax shows Shravan being defeated in the boxing ring, despite his best efforts, due to the corruption and favoritism that prevails in the sport.
In the interview, Anurag emphasized that he wouldn’t have made the film if he had wanted to show Shravan as a winner. He stated that he wanted to show the reality of Indian sports, which is often marred by corruption, favoritism, and nepotism. Anurag believed that by showing Shravan’s struggles and defeat, he could convey a powerful message to the audience about the state of Indian sports.
Anurag’s decision to show Shravan’s defeat was also influenced by his own experiences as a filmmaker. He has often spoken about the challenges he faced while making ‘Mukkabaaz’, including the difficulties he encountered while trying to get the film released. Anurag has said that he had to fight against the odds to get the film released, and that the experience was similar to Shravan’s struggles in the film.
Javed Akhtar’s comment, “You don’t like making money,” suggests that he believed Anurag’s decision to show Shravan’s defeat was a commercial mistake. However, Anurag has always been committed to making films that are honest and authentic, even if they don’t have a massive commercial appeal. ‘Mukkabaaz’ may not have been a commercial blockbuster, but it has gained a cult following over the years and is widely regarded as one of the best films of 2017.
Anurag’s decision to show Shravan’s defeat also resonated with audiences who were familiar with the reality of Indian sports. The film’s portrayal of corruption and favoritism in the sport was seen as a reflection of the real-life issues that plague Indian sports. The film’s impact was amplified by its powerful performances, particularly by Vineet Kumar Singh, who played the role of Shravan.
In conclusion, Anurag Kashyap’s decision to show Shravan’s defeat in ‘Mukkabaaz’ was a deliberate choice, aimed at highlighting the harsh realities of Indian sports. Javed Akhtar’s comment, “You don’t like making money,” suggests that he believed Anurag’s decision was a commercial mistake. However, Anurag remained committed to his vision, and the film has since become a cult classic.
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