‘Pan-India Cinema Is Being Used for a Big Fraud’: Director Anurag Kashyap Raises Concerns Over Big-Budget Films

Prominent Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has expressed concern over the growing trend of big-budget filmmaking in the name of Pan-India cinema. He said that the trend was affecting the true spirit of filmmaking and threatening the survival of small-budget movies. Speaking at the two-day Chaya Literary Festival, which began on Saturday at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, Hyderabad, Kashyap shared his views on the current state of the film industry. He also appreciated the quality of films being made in South India and highlighted the importance of literature in human life.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ghanta Chakrapani said the festival aims to strengthen the connection between Telugu literature, other Indian languages and international literature. Several prominent personalities participated in discussions on literature and society. Actress Rohini, Tamil writer and former DMK MP Salma, literary scholar Mrinalini and Kashmiri poet Nighat Saheba discussed the importance of literature that can influence society. American writer Peter Constantine and poet Yakub shared their perspectives on poetry, globalisation and alienation. Sessions were also held on Hyderabad's historical heritage and memories of the Musi riverfront. MLC Gorati Venkanna, senior journalists K. Srinivas and Pasham Yadagiri, and writer Kuppili Padma were among those who attended.