Title: “Akhtar saw Mukkabaaz & said, ‘You don’t like making money’: Anurag”
The world of cinema is often a battleground where creative vision clashes with commercial viability. Filmmakers often have to make difficult choices between staying true to their artistic vision and pandering to the masses to ensure a successful box office run. Recently, renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap opened up about his experience with this dilemma, courtesy of a conversation he had with veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar after watching his film “Mukkabaaz”.
Released in 2018, “Mukkabaaz” was a critical and commercial success, but not without controversy. The film tells the story of a young boxer, Shravan Kumar, who fights against all odds to make a name for himself in the world of Indian boxing. The movie stars Vineet Kumar Singh in the lead role and has been praised for its gritty portrayal of the sports world in India.
According to Anurag Kashyap, Javed Akhtar, who is known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense approach to filmmaking, was unimpressed with the film’s ending. In an interview with a leading publication, Kashyap revealed that Akhtar told him, “You’ve a problem. You don’t like making money”. Kashyap was taken aback by Akhtar’s comment, which seemed to suggest that he was criticizing the film’s commercial viability.
However, it’s not hard to understand what Akhtar meant. “Mukkabaaz” ends on a somber note, with Shravan Kumar failing to win the championship title despite his best efforts. The film’s climax is a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of Indian sports, where corruption, nepotism, and favoritism often take precedence over talent and hard work.
Anurag Kashyap has always been known for his bold and uncompromising approach to storytelling. He has never been afraid to tackle tough subjects and challenge his audience with complex characters and narratives. In the case of “Mukkabaaz”, Kashyap chose not to sugarcoat the truth about Indian sports, even if it meant sacrificing a more conventional and crowd-pleasing ending.
In his conversation with Akhtar, Kashyap revealed that he wouldn’t have made the film if he had been asked to show Shravan Kumar winning the championship title. For him, the film was never about creating a feel-good, uplifting story, but about exposing the reality of Indian sports and the struggles that athletes face.
“Javed Akhtar told me that if I had shown Vineet Kumar Singh’s character winning at the end of ‘Mukkabaaz’, it would have been a hit. But I wouldn’t have made the film to show Vineet as a winner because I wanted to show the reality of Indian sports,” Kashyap said.
Kashyap’s decision to prioritize artistic integrity over commercial success has been a hallmark of his career. From “Black Friday” to “Gangs of Wasseypur”, his films have always pushed boundaries and challenged conventions. “Mukkabaaz” is no exception, and its success is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision.
The conversation between Anurag Kashyap and Javed Akhtar serves as a reminder that filmmaking is often a delicate balancing act between art and commerce. While commercial success is essential for a film’s survival, it’s equally important to stay true to one’s artistic vision and tell stories that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
In the end, “Mukkabaaz” is a film that will be remembered for its courage and conviction. It’s a powerful commentary on the state of Indian sports and a testament to the power of storytelling to inspire and provoke. As Anurag Kashyap’s conversation with Javed Akhtar suggests, the film’s ending may not have been the most conventional or crowd-pleasing, but it’s a testament to the filmmaker’s commitment to telling a story that needed to be told.
