Movie maverick

He's called a maverick filmmaker, one that doesn't tread the usual path. Known for his unconventional movies, he's definitely a genius for those who follow his films ardently. His latest production Shaitan, which hit the screens on Friday, is about five youngsters in Mumbai, whose lives are completely changed by one moment. We caught up with the eccentric director when he was in town to promote his latest film.
Ask him if he's happy with the response that his kind of cinema gets and he says, "People are slowly accepting it. Our audience base is increasing. Of course, it's negligible compared to Salman Khan's audiences. Ours is just one or two per cent of that. But it's much better now," he says, adding, "It was never about wanting to break box office records. It was about wanting to keep making our kind of films and somehow not lose hope."
The film maker, who tied the knot with actress Kalki Koechlin this year, says he has seen his wife for only four days after their wedding! "She's so busy; I don't get to see her. I Skype and keep in touch with her." As for working with Kalki, he says, "As a director, I've worked with her on two films. But as a producer, I work mainly with the director and don't get to work with her."
His film That Girl In Yellow Boots is already making waves in the international film festival circuit. "It's a movie that Kalki and I wrote and made together. It's releasing on September 2. Then there's Michael that's releasing at the end of September. Gangs of Wasseypur is expected to release by the end of the year." Anurag calls Shaitan an edgy, new age film. "It's a new experience for Indian audiences." While no producer wanted to take up the film, Anurag says, "I did it because nobody wanted to do it. That's how I have lived my life. I saw Bejoy's (the director's) potential."
Shaitan also features TV actor-turned-film actor Rajeev Khandelwal, who received rave reviews for his debut, Aamir. "He's a great guy and a superb actor. Rajeev is extremely hard working and a delight to work with, although I've dealt with him only to talk about dates and money. Hopefully, one day I will direct him too.
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