Anurag Kashyap backs short films as backbone of Indian cinema

The acclaimed filmmaker of Bollywood, Anurag Kashyap, who recently garnered wide appreciation for his short film at Cannes Film Festival, has emphasised on the importance of short films for the future of Indian cinema.

As told by Kashyap, "Short films will redefine the future of Indian cinema and not some mainstream one whose fate is decided on a Friday night. In fact shorts have already redefined it, so to speak and, are offering us perspectives that big-ticket cinema hardly does.” Anurag has been a part of making a series of five short stories with Viacom 18, which have been released on You Tube. His Murabba in Bombay Talkies was screened at Cannes. The five films, Hidden Cricket, Geek Out, Chai, Moi Murjani and Epiphany along with over 500 other videos have been a part of 'India Is', a digital platform campaign from the Public Diplomacy Division of the External Affair Ministry. The films aim to connect and interact with people worldwide to make them sit up and think more about India.

As per Kashyap, "People think feature films are difficult to make. But, it is the short films which are much more difficult to make. The kind of India and the visual appeal that these films are providing a regular, mainstream film never can.” The producer of the five short films also stated, "When I was approached by Google to make short films for the campaign, I told these young but very talented directors to put together films that really showcase the essence of India, the spirit of India, aspirations of young India and the challenges of modern day life of India.” He added further, "We tried our best to move away from all the tourist kind of films and focus on the real India. And, they have attempted to show the everyday India through a visual journey. And, through their creativity, they have attempted to show in 'India Is' what India is.” His own sister Anubhuti Kashyap has debuted in direction with Moi Marjaani.