Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has once again stirred conversation in Bollywood with his candid remarks about producers engaging in the practice of corporate booking — where producers buy tickets for their own films to inflate box office numbers. Speaking with film trade analyst Komal Nahta, Kashyap did not mince words, calling the trend a “delusion” and a form of “show-off.”
“You are lying to yourself,” says Kashyap
During the conversation, Anurag Kashyap explained that the practice of producers purchasing large numbers of tickets for their own films creates a false impression of commercial success. “It’s a new practice. You are lying to yourself. This has been my problem with the industry,” he said.
He continued, “When you lie to yourself, you’ll not even realize what’s good or bad. How would you evolve? How would you grow? You’re limiting yourself from Juhu to Bandra. You just want to brag about your film’s collections at one of the film parties between Juhu and Bandra.”
“You’re doing it for show-off”
When asked what message he had for such producers, Kashyap replied bluntly, “I don’t know. I have said a lot but no one listens to me. Many people say I’m frustrated, that I have no kaam dhanda and keep complaining. But those indulging in self-booking are living in delusion. You want to maintain that bubble. What are you getting out of it? At the end of the day, when you go home, you know your own truth. You’re just doing it for show-off and to maintain a delusion.”
He also drew a parallel with his experience while shooting Gulaal (2009) in Rajasthan. “When I went to make Gulaal, I saw many people had ‘tad’ though the era of Raja-Maharajas was over. Their houses were empty, but they still felt royal. They are still living in the past. It’s the same thing here,” he observed.
Kashyap on the three Khans
In a rapid-fire segment, Kashyap was asked who, according to him, is the most popular Khan in Bollywood. Without hesitation, he replied, “Shah Rukh Khan is the most popular, followed by Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.”
The filmmaker went on to praise Aamir Khan’s work ethic, saying, “Aamir Khan is the hardest-working and shrewdest of all three, especially as a producer.”
Industry’s response awaited
Kashyap’s comments have reignited debate in the Hindi film industry about the authenticity of box office numbers and the influence of marketing-driven narratives. While some insiders have privately agreed with his views, others believe corporate bookings are simply part of film promotions in the modern era.
Anurag Kashyap has built a reputation for speaking his mind, often challenging Bollywood’s conventional practices and superficial trends. His latest remarks once again underline his belief that honesty and creative integrity matter more than inflated figures or social media buzz.