SAY IT THROUGH A LOVE STORY: ANURAG KASHYAP
The filmmaker says his ‘first love story’ allowed him to discuss caste and politics
So far held as a gritty noir film specialist, director Anurag Kashyap says he has learnt that the way to an Indian cinema fan’s heart, is through a love story.
“I have learnt that in India whatever you have to say, say it through a love story. This is what people understand. This is my first full love story,” Kashyap says.
Set in a Bareilly dominated by caste, politics and religion, the film follows a local-level Kshatriya boxer, in romantic pursuit of a Brahmin woman, which results in him being hounded and his career sabotaged by her uncle, played by Jimmy Sheirgill.
Kashyap, who describes Mukkabaaz as his first prem pradhan (love-centric) film, has used the sports drama to dwell on the power dynamics in Uttar Pradesh.
Denying the widely-held notion that his strengths lie in depicting sociopolitical issues with a tone of anger, the director says that films allow him space to react to things that bother him. “What people call anger, is my reaction. Luckily, I have the medium to react. People want to react but they can’t. This is why they connect with my films,” he explains.
Coming from Uttar Pradesh, Kashyap says he understands the milieu, its societal nuances and how caste impacts day-to-day life. “It is deeply ingrained in us. In UP, they ask your name to know your caste and the next question is ‘What is your gotra’?” he says.
The protagonists in Mukkabaaz are on similar levels on the caste ladder but the difference persists. “In Haryana, marrying in the same gotra is often a reason for honour-killing. The issue is different with the whole dynamic of the oppressor and the oppressed. Here, the friction is between two similar castes.”
Referring to the trend of sports films, particularly biopics, he said it was impossible today to make a biopic without nationalism.
“If this is not selling nationalism then what is it? These things bother me. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma get married in Italy, and a leader stands up and says it is unpatriotic,” he said.
“Then there are those who flaunt their nationalism as a badge. They have done nothing in their life and just want to stay in the news,” Kashyap adds.
In Haryana, marrying in the same gotra is often a reason for honourkilling. The issue is different with the dynamic of the oppressor and the oppressed. Here (in Mukkabaaz), the friction is between two similar castes ANURAG KASHYAP, FILMMAKER