Anurag Kashyap

Very few people understood No Smoking, he claims. So, he wants Return of Hanuman to be a huge hit. In a characteristically explosive chat with t2, Anurag Kashyap sets some of the records straight — about No Smoking, Hanuman and KJo...

Why did Hanuman Returns become Return of Hanuman?

Oh, that’s thanks to (numerologist) Sanjay Jumaani (smiles). When I meet him, I will throttle him (laughs).

In India, most people still do not consider an animation film to be a regular movie. Do you see that changing?

I think so. Like, Hanuman is a brand now. The reason the sequel to Hanuman was made is because the first one was successful. It gave Percept the confidence to make another film and take the concept to the next level. Hopefully the success of the sequel will pave the way for something much larger, much bigger.

What also marks a first for Return of Hanuman is a film-maker directing an animation film. How does one direct cartoons?

It was a long process. In fact, it was a learning process for me. I didn’t know how to direct an animation film. I came on board as a writer. But after the script that I wrote, they were all shocked and surprised because they had not thought of an animation film like that. There’s very little mythology.... It’s just using Hanuman as an Asterix or an Obelix. A simple-minded strong man with a child’s heart. So, using that aspect of him and playing around in a modern-day setting. Once they got over the initial shock, they asked me to direct it. They gave me a team of animators who said: “You visualise and we will realise.” So once I would describe a scene, the artists would draw the animatics first and then Toonz would do the animation.

Why did you have to update the Hanuman story and bring him into the world of Osama bin Laden and Gabbar Singh?

The story of Hanuman has already been told in the first film and I did not want to repeat the story. See, there was not much of a story to the Baby Hanuman except the fact that he tried to eat up the sun thinking it was an orange. The whole idea was to use the brand. So I made him into a school-going kid. He doesn’t even have special powers. He just has physical strength. He supports the cause of the underdog, fighting the bullies and then fighting the demons.

Was your target audience only kids or adults as well?

No, no, it’s not just for children; adults should enjoy the film as much as kids do.

How important is Return of Hanuman for you after No Smoking went up in smoke?

It is very important for me. See, I made Return of Hanuman for my daughter Aaliyah. She inspired me to make this film. I was tired of being called this dark and violent film-maker. And my daughter also had the same complaint. “Why can’t you make a film that I can watch?” She would rather love watching Imtiaz’s (Ali of Jab We Met fame) films. I said “Ok fine, but I am not going to dumb it down.” It is very important for me. Especially because it is coming right after No Smoking, a film nobody understood and a film for which I was killed, put on a slab and cut into pieces. So I want Return of Hanuman to be bloody successful. I know the film will be successful but I want it to be the biggest blockbuster that the country has ever seen!

You were writing Return of Hanuman and No Smoking at the same time. It must have been crazy...

Return of Hanuman

Yes, I finished writing Return of Hanuman just before I wrote the final draft of No Smoking. So I did do both of them one after the other, almost simultaneously. This was even before Black Friday had released. It was difficult. It did take its toll on my health. I am still recovering (smiles).

Has the failure of No Smoking changed your film-making plans?

Not at all. I would do films that I would want to do. There are people who are still standing by me. In fact, No Smoking has opened up many more doors for me. Like the Sight and Sound magazine which wrote: “No Smoking is the most original Tarantinian tour de force of the Rome Film Festival. My prize for the most original film goes to No Smoking.”

I still feel that like Black Friday, if No Smoking was banned it would have found the right kind of audience and understanding. It was pitched wrong. What we got is what we deserved. We were cheating the audience by telling them it was a normal film, which it wasn’t. The failure doesn’t change my attitude towards cinema. I am still making Dev D. the way I want to make. I will be completing Gulaal in June under my production banner.

And you are working with Karan Johar even after your war of words!

Yes, I am writing one of his productions. It is being directed by Renzil D’Silva, who wrote Rang De Basanti. It is the kind of film I want to do. In fact, it is one of the better scripts I have written in a very long time.

Wasn’t it awkward for the two of you after having lashed out at each other?

All the lashing out that happened between us is a thing of the past. We met and yes, he was awkward and I was also awkward. I said sorry because I wanted to break the ice. And he graciously accepted the apology. You have known me for such a long time, I am an impulsive man.... Many a time I get angry with people and express my point of view. And there are things which hurt people. I don’t mind apologising for that. Somewhere Karan Johar is a gracious man. His upbringing is much better than mine. I came from the streets. He is obviously much more cultured and that difference obviously shows. I am writing the script purely because it is happening on my terms and the fact that Karan himself asked for me. Renzil asked him ‘wouldn’t it be a problem’ and he said, ‘but we need him’. And after seeing what he is doing with his Dharma Productions, my respect for him has gone up manifold.