Here's How Cannes Has Become Anurag Kashyap Festival

Anurag Kashyap: the name doesn’t need any introduction. Frankly, we are at the stage where any introduction would be a little disrespectful to the man, given all he has done. For those who somehow still remain ignorant, Anurag Kashyap, in the span of two decades, has risen to become the filmmaker of the country. 

Starting in the early nineties, his first major breakthrough came in 1998 when he co-wrote the script for Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya. But it wasn’t until 2007 till he properly emerged when his much-delayed directorial venture Black Friday was released.

From then on, though, Kashyap hasn’t been that unfortunate. He has written, directed and produced films that have completely changed the landscape of Indian cinema. Initially referred as a director of parallel cinema, he is now among the leading filmmakers of the country.

But what’s more impressive is that unlike other elite directors, his films have not only made an impact on a domestic scale but internationally as well. His films frequently garner acclaim in film festivals all across the globe and have attracted a whole together new audience for Indian Cinema.

Cannes, which is considered the biggest showcase of world cinema, has a regular participant in the name of Anurag Kashyap. Previously, it was unheard for Indian filmmakers to find a regular place in this prestigious arena but that fact has changed so dramatically because of him. 

One The Hollywood Reporter reporter jokingly commented in 2013 that Cannes is becoming the Anurag Kashyap festival. Which in a way, it is. Here’s why: 

Udaan (2010)

Co-produced by Kashyap, Udaan was officially selected to compete in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes festival.

Gangs of Wasseypur and Peddler (2012)

Anurag Kashyap's daring 5-hour masterpiece was screeened at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight. A low-budgeted Peddler, which he helped produced, was screened at the International Critics' Week part of the festival.

Bombay Talkies , The Lunchbox and Monsoon Shootout (2013)

The anthology film Bombay Talkies, which was made to celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema, was screened at the French festival. On the production end, the universally loved The Lunchbox was screened at the International Critics' Week section. He also produced Monsoon Shootout which was shown at the Midnight Screenings portion of the event.

Ugly (2014)

Anurag Kashyap's follow-up to Gangs of Wasseypur was the highly acclaimed Ugly. The film, which was screened at Director's Fortnight section, received a long standing ovation upon its showcase.

Masaan and Titli (2015)

The two of the most critically acclaimed Indian films were both co-produced by the Anurag Kashyap. Both films debuted at the Un Certain Regard section of the festival. Titli was nominated for Camera d'Or award, while Masaan won the FIPRESCI prize.

Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016)

The movie will be screened at this year's festival at the Cannes' Directors' Fortnight, before it is released in India on June 24.

*In addition to this, Anurag Kashyap has also been involved in international projects which have screened at various film festivals, including Cannes.