Anurag Kashyap on Virat Kohli biopic: ‘He doesn’t need cinema to prove his story’

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has made a name for himself with cinema that often resists conventions. In a recent interview, he was asked if he would ever consider making a biopic on cricketer Virat Kohli. His answer was clear: no.

Speaking to Filmygyan, Kashyap said he respects Kohli deeply but would not make a film on him. “I don’t know if I would want to because he is already a hero to many people, many children. If I would have to do a biopic, I would choose something difficult from a person’s life,” he explained.

Kashyap described Kohli as someone who already carries immense admiration. “He is a very beautiful man, I know him personally, and he is a very authentic human being. He is very emotional, an incredible person with incredible discipline. He would rather not be part of mediocrity and step away than continue, which is always with the people that I look up to.”

For Kashyap, the real interest lies in stories that have not been celebrated enough. He has often spoken about his desire to explore characters shaped by struggle, failure, or obscurity, rather than retelling tales of personalities who are already widely seen as role models.

During the interview, Kashyap was also asked about comparisons made between him and Kohli. Both are often described as figures who face public scrutiny. The director responded, “Yes, it definitely caused a little bit of pain for him. It’s just how you write it and how the reader reads it that makes you controversial.”

The director’s comments underline his broader philosophy of filmmaking. Biopics, in his view, should not be limited to retelling glory but should also highlight the complex layers of human experience.

Kashyap is currently preparing for the release of his next film, Nishaanchi. The project introduces Aaishvary Thackeray, grandson of late political leader Balasaheb Thackeray, alongside Monika Panwar, Vedika Pinto, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 19.

With Nishaanchi, Kashyap once again positions himself as a director drawn to layered narratives. His refusal to take on Kohli’s biopic is less about rejecting the cricketer’s story and more about seeking spaces where cinema can add something fresh.