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Auteur Anurag Kashyap, known for cult-classics like Gangs of Wasseypur, Black Friday and Gulaal, is putting a price tag on attending meetings with new talents hoping for a collaboration.
The filmmaker’s “demands” come in light of his claims that some newcomers add nothing to his films and end up giving mediocre work.
Anurag took to Instagram on March 23 and shared a long note about the change in his approach. He wrote: “I wasted a lot of time trying to help newcomers and mostly ended up with mediocre s**t. So, from now onwards, I won’t waste my time meeting random people who think they’re creative geniuses. I will now have rates.”
He added: “If someone wants to meet me for 10-15 minutes I will charge Rs1 lakh ($1,600), for half an hour Rs2 lakh, and for one hour 5 lakh.
“I am tired of wasting time meeting people. If you think you can afford it, call me or stay the f*** away.”
Anurag wrote in the caption: “And I mean it. Don’t text or dm or call me. Pay, and you will get time. I am not a charity, and I am tired of people looking for shortcuts.”
The filmmaker has worked with many newcomers in the past. His collaboration with music composer Amit Trivedi in Dev.D (2009) marked a new dawn in Hindi film music, while he has also had successful partnerships with cinematographer Jay Oza in Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016) and rapper Divine in Mukkabaaz (2017).
Netizens were quick to react to his post.
“Honestly Anuraag, I often feel the same way!” said filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.
A social media user wrote that he “understands the sentiment”, but charging for meetings with potential collaborators would create a gap between industry professionals and new generational aspirants.
“This is essentially adding to the gatekeeping of an industry that is already considered elite and privileged. The bigger the gap you create between industry professionals and new generational aspirants, the slower the industry is going to improve,” the user said.
Actress Shahana Goswami also weighed in: “But Babu, wouldn’t people who can pay for your time more likely waste your time as much, if not more? I agree with the first part, but then maybe don’t meet anyone (and) let destiny make you meet your collaborators accidentally?”
Recently, Anurag announced his Malayalam debut as an actor in director Aashiq Abu’s upcoming movie Rifle Club. The film will hit the big screens in August.
Indo-Asian News Service
