The talented filmmaker, Anurag Kashyap has given us a lot of cinematic gems in the past decade and introduced a completely different style of movie making. 10 of Anurag Kashyap movies that every cinephile would cherish are:
1. Gangs of Wasseypur
This two-part Anurag Kashyap film is considered one of the most epic Indian gangster movies. Gangs of Waseypur is based on the actual rivalry of three Muslim clans in the town of Wasseypur in India. Starring great Indian actors like Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadda, Huma Qureshi, Vineet Kumar Singh, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Piyush Mishra and Pankaj Tripathi in the major role. The movie uses instances of dark humor and quirky regional music to break the grim theme. The film was a breakthrough for most of the cast and also for the director. Written by Zeishan Quadri, there is a use of blood, gore, and abuse in the film whenever required. Hence with this movie introduced an entirely different style of filmmaking in India.
2. Black Friday
This is an offbeat movie which deserves a special mention on the list. This 2004 movie directed by Anurag Kashyap is centered around the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts. The movie stars actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Kay Kay Menon, and the director Imtiaz Ali as well. The film wasn’t released until two years after making until the verdict for the crime was pending. It was screened in various film festivals all over the world and was appreciated by most critics.
3. That Day After Everyday
Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the short film stars the ever-present Radhika Apte. The short will relate to every girl as it portrays the sexism, inequality, harassment, and abuse that women face on an everyday basis. It also shows how the sufferers have to take matters into their own hands when it gets too much to bear.
4. Raman Raghav 2.0
This dark thriller shows a cat and mouse chase between the serial killer Ramanna ( Nawazzudin Siddiqui) and the corrupt policeman Raghav ( Vicky Kaushal). The film was based on the life of the real-life serial killer Raman Raghav who operated in Mumbai in the 1960’s. The film had a lot of gory, violent scenes which makes it an uncomfortable watch. The movie sends across the message that the good and the bad, everything is within us.
5. Dev D
This is a romantic black comedy released in 2009 and was written and directed by Anurag Kashyap. The movie is a modern-day take on the Bengali novel ‘ Devdas’. The movie stars Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, and Kalki Koechlin. The movie is divided into three parts where each part shows a perspective from the three characters: Paro, Dev, and Chanda.
6. That Girl in Yellow Boots
This 2011 thriller film stars Kalki Koechlin, Naseeruddin Shah, and Kumud Mishra. The movie was shot in just thirteen days and premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. The movie shows a young British woman looking for her father and the severe struggles she faces during that time. The movie had a tragic ending and gripping performances by the actors.
7. Ugly
You cannot afford to miss this flick. It explores a police case of a missing case while projecting our systems greed and corruption. The film is written by Kashyap as well and would keep you hooked and is sure to keep you on your feet until it ends.
8. Lust Stories
Another anthology film after Bombay talkies, Lust stories is a collection of four short films segments directed by four directors: Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Bannerjee and Karan Johar. Radhika Apte plays the role of a college professor, Kalindi who has a sexual relationship with a student of hers named Tejas.
9. Bombay Talkies
Another anthology movie, it contained four different short films made by different filmmakers. It was released to celebrate the 100th year of Indian Cinema while marking the beginning of a new era of modern filmmaking. Anurag’s short film, Murabba was a beautiful story of a son who tries to meet the biggest superstar of the era and offer him a piece of ‘murabba’, as per his father’s ailing wish.
10. Manmarziyan
The most recent of Kashyap’s work, the movie features the very talented Tapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Abhishek Bachchan. It is Anurag’s first attempt at a proper romcom on the big screen. The love story set in Punjab shows a complex love triangle of Rumi, her boyfriend, and her fiancé. The amazing music by Amit Trivedi makes the movie a must watch. It explores complex human emotions that arise when people make mistakes in matters of the heart.
