Anurag Kashyap calls Bollywood toxic, relocates for fresh start

Indian filmmaker, director, writer, and actor Anurag Kashyap has confirmed that he is leaving Bollywood and Mumbai. At the age of 52, Kashyap, who has been active in the Bollywood film industry since 1998 and dedicated 27 years of his life to it, now considers it "toxic."

According to reports from Indian media, Kashyap described Bollywood as a "toxic" environment and confirmed that he has shifted to South India, specifically to Bangalore.

He expressed a desire to distance himself from the film industry, stating that Bollywood has become a place where everyone is chasing unrealistic goals, aiming to create films worth approximately Rs500 to Rs800 crores (around 60 to 95 million USD).

He further added that the creative atmosphere in Bollywood has diminished, and he has become disillusioned with it. Kashyap mentioned that he moved to South India to inspire himself and focus on new experiences.

He admitted feeling envious of filmmakers in the South, as it has become difficult for him to pursue new ventures in the current Bollywood environment.

Kashyap highlighted the fact that the new experiences in the industry come at a cost, and producers are mainly focused on profit, often questioning where the return on investment is.

He concluded by stating that making films becomes less enjoyable when filmmakers are primarily concerned with how to sell their work, which is why he is leaving Bollywood.