Anurag Kashyap has recently voiced his opinions on the state of Bollywood, describing it as "toxic" and expressing his belief that the industry "can never be united". This comes amidst the release of his new film, Nishaanchi, a gangster heartland drama.

Kashyap's disillusionment with Bollywood isn't new. He has been vocal about his disappointment with the Hindi film industry for some time. In early 2025, he confirmed that he had left Mumbai, stating that the industry had become too focused on chasing unrealistic financial targets, with everyone trying to make the next ₹500 to ₹800 crore film. He felt that this obsession with numbers had diminished the creative atmosphere.

In an interview with Zoom TV, Kashyap elaborated on the "toxicity" he perceives in Bollywood, agreeing that the industry often fails to support its own members. He argued that Bollywood cannot stand for each other. He expressed that he is someone who stands for everyone, but nobody stands for him. He confidently stated that the industry can never be united. Kashyap also pointed out that filmmakers like Shoojit Sircar and Dibakar Banerjee live outside of Mumbai and continue to make films, emphasizing that it is possible to create good work without being in the center of the Bollywood scene.

Kashyap has also spoken about the "cancel culture" and lack of unity within Bollywood being responsible for online campaigns calling for boycotts of films. He recounted an incident where he stood up for someone but was told to stay out of it.

Recently, Kashyap has criticized the industry's reaction to films facing hurdles, saying that people in the film industry celebrate when another director or actor's film gets stuck or flops. He believes this lack of solidarity is a significant problem.

Kashyap has also clarified his comments regarding AI-generated films, specifically condemning the upcoming AI film Chiranjeevi Hanuman—The Eternal. He slammed producer Vijay Subramaniam for prioritizing profits over artists and called for artists to not support such AI projects. Kashyap stated that while he doesn't have a problem with producers using AI, it becomes unethical when those same individuals represent writers and directors. He predicted that actors will unite when AI replaces them.

Despite his criticisms, Kashyap clarified that he's not trying to complain but rather to warn the industry. He feels he has been in the industry long enough to see people make the same mistakes and wants to prevent that. He emphasizes the importance of honesty in filmmaking over chasing fame and a lifestyle.

Kashyap's latest directorial venture, Nishaanchi, which stars Aaishvary Thackeray and Vedika Pinto, has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a UA certificate. Kashyap spoke about his experience with the censor board, stating that a lot of misunderstandings were cleared up during the process. He realized that the board was doing its job and following a new set of internal rules.