Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently stirred a significant reaction on social media by expressing support for ‘Animal’ director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Kashyap’s public endorsement of Vanga, whom he referred to as a “misunderstood” filmmaker, raised eyebrows among fans and colleagues alike.

In an interview with Janice Sequeira, Anurag Kashyap opened up about his stance, revealing that he empathised with Vanga, having faced similar backlash for his own films in the past. Anurag Kashyap’s daughter, Aaliyah, and many of his peers questioned his support for Sandeep Reddy Vanga, prompting him to clarify his position.

“I am coming from a place where I have been canceled a lot,” Anurag Kashyap explained, referencing his experiences with films like ‘Paanch’, ‘Dev.D’, ‘Black Friday’, and ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’. He suggested that instead of attacking someone, critics should engage in meaningful discussions and ask questions.

Anurag Kashyap acknowledged that while there were elements of ‘Animal’ he found problematic, there were aspects he admired as well. “The action in ‘Animal’ was very real. Ranbir Kapoor was very good, the music was great, some detailing were very good,” he said.

However, he said that the film’s second half was “extremely problematic.” Anurag Kashyap admired Vanga’s determination in bringing a 3-hour and 25-minute adult film to the big screen, drawing parallels to his own experience with ‘Bombay Velvet’, a lengthy film he had to cut down against his wishes.

Reflecting on his own journey, Anurag Kashyap noted the value of being a stubborn filmmaker. “Being ziddi (stubborn) sometimes as a filmmaker is not a bad thing,” he asserted. While he didn’t promote everything about ‘Animal’, he respected Vanga’s commitment to his vision. Anurag Kashyap stressed the need for open conversations about controversial content, stating, “If you have issues, discuss them with the filmmaker.”

Further Anurag Kashyap observed that the audience’s shock initiated from seeing “everybody’s favorite” actor Ranbir portray such a problematic character with conviction, rather than adhering to politically or diplomatically correct standards.

Anurag Kashyap shared how his public support for Animal led to intense scrutiny from friends and family. His daughter, Aaliyah, was among the most vocal critics, expressing her hate for the film. Friends also visited Kashyap at home, bombarding him with questions about his stance. “Leave everything out, what is the name of the picture? It is not called Human,” he humorously remarked.