‘Dedicated Director Finds Support from Fellow Filmmaker’
In a rare public display of support within the film industry, veteran director Anurag Kashyap recently showed his backing for Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the helmer of the recent blockbuster Animal. Kashyap praised Vanga for his honesty and integrity, drawing comparisons between his experiences and that of Vanga.
In a social media post, Kashyap hailed Vanga as “the most genuine filmmaker” in the industry. He spoke highly of Vanga’s latest film Animal and its impact, saying it succeeded in areas that most films shy away from. This show of camaraderie came as a surprise to many, as Animal was facing criticism from several quarters for its bold subject matter.
In a recent interview, Kashyap opened up about why he chose to support Vanga publicly. Reflecting on his own struggles with the censor board during the making of Bombay Velvet, Kashyap said seeing Vanga fight censorship reminded him of his own battles. He appreciated Vanga for sticking to his vision despite facing backlash, something Kashyap wishes he could have done. Kashyap also slammed the “hypocrisy” of those criticizing Animal without meaningful discussion.
Kashyap said Vanga is one of the few directors who is “honest and upfront”, unlike many “toxic” people in the industry who pretend. For Kashyap, honesty is the most important quality. He believes Vanga deserves support for his sincere filmmaking, and that cancelling artists does little to further creative discourse. Overall, Kashyap’s endorsement is a ringing affirmation of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s talents and determination to tell impactful stories his own way.
