Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, in a recent candid interview, delved deep into his health battles and the personal challenges he has faced over the past several years. His revelations come as a surprise to many fans and industry colleagues who had little idea of the extent of his suffering. Kashyap opened up about his battle with depression, the effects of steroid use on his health, and his struggles with alcohol use.
In March, Kashyap sent ripples through the social media landscape when he announced his frustration with mentoring untalented individuals and the consequent decision to start charging a consultancy fee. The filmmaker took to social media to express his weariness over what he termed as “wasting his time” guiding individuals who, in his words, lacked talent. The post caused quite a stir, capturing wide attention and generating extensive discussion.
Elaborating on the matter in an interview with Humans of Cinema, Kashyap clarified the intent behind his post. “It wasn’t aimed at filmmakers. It was an attempt to get rid of useless people,” he explained. This declaration was certainly one of the more candid moments of the interview, as Kashyap addressed the misconceptions surrounding his controversial comment.
Kashyap emphasized that his time and energy are now primarily focused on supporting independent films, an endeavor that he believes holds more value. “People expect me to help everyone, but they don’t consider that I may not be able to, given my own limitations,” he said. This statement sheds light on the filmmaker’s growing sense of fatigue with the relentless demands placed upon him.
During the interview, Anurag Kashyap revealed a staggering and hitherto mostly unknown detail about his life. For the past two and a half years, he has been grappling with severe illness. “I have gone through a whole phase of depression,” he admitted. “In a phase like that, you have to prioritize yourself first. If I’m not physically, mentally, or emotionally healed, I can’t be of help to others.”
This period of depression took a toll on him in multifaceted ways, affecting both his personal and professional lives. Kashyap lamented that despite the visible signs of his deteriorating health, people still approached him with their scripts, expecting him to invest his diminished energy into their projects. “If you see my interviews from last year, you will notice how unwell I looked.
. Even then, people would come and ask me to read their scripts,” he recalled.
Steroid use, prescribed as part of his treatment, has further compounded his struggles. “I was on so many steroids that I was unable to sleep,” Kashyap revealed. To cope with the side effects of these medications and the stress they induced, he sometimes turned to alcohol. “On top of that, I sometimes drink whiskey to numb it. I can’t watch good films. I’m in that stage and frame of mind, and in the middle of all that, people come to me with their demands.”
The candid interview showcased a vulnerable side of the filmmaker seldom seen by the public. Kashyap expressed a sense of being overwhelmed and unable to continue in the capacity he once had. “There was a time when I was actively doing these things because there was no one else to do them. Now, however, there are enough people,” he noted. This shift in his responsibilities comes as a much-needed respite, allowing him to focus on his own recovery.
Despite these personal challenges, Anurag Kashyap remains committed to his craft. The filmmaker is currently gearing up for the release of his crime drama “Kennedy,” which stars Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year, has attracted considerable attention and stands as a testament to Kashyap’s enduring dedication to cinema.
The revelations shared by Anurag Kashyap in this interview serve as a poignant reminder of the often-hidden struggles faced by public figures. His willingness to speak openly about his health issues and personal battles sheds light on a side of his life that many were unaware of. As Kashyap continues to navigate these challenges, his story becomes one of resilience and determination, inspiring both his audience and peers in the film industry.
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