Anurag Kashyap recently revealed that Basil Joseph, the director of the acclaimed superhero film Minnal Murali, felt he "wasted two years" attempting to get the Shaktimaan film off the ground. The revelation came during a conversation between the two filmmakers on the Chalchitra Talks podcast.
Kashyap, who has been working in South Indian film industries recently, met Joseph at an awards ceremony. Impressed by Joseph's versatility as an actor in films like Ponman and his directorial work in Minnal Murali, Kashyap inquired how he managed to juggle such diverse roles. Joseph then confided that he had spent two years trying to make Shaktimaan, a period he now views as wasted. According to Kashyap, Joseph even asked him, "God, how do you survive in that industry (Bollywood)?". Kashyap responded that he couldn't, which is why he moved away. He noted that Joseph spoke of battling egos within Bollywood.
Reports had circulated that Basil Joseph was slated to direct a big-screen adaptation of the popular Shaktimaan television series, with Ranveer Singh in the lead role. This news generated considerable excitement, especially considering the global success of Joseph's Minnal Murali. However, the Shaktimaan project faced numerous hurdles and ultimately stalled.
One major challenge was opposition from Mukesh Khanna, the creator and original star of the Shaktimaan TV series, who reportedly questioned Ranveer Singh's suitability for the role. Despite these challenges, Basil Joseph had firmly stated earlier this year that "Shaktimaan will be made only with Ranveer Singh". He refuted rumors of Allu Arjun replacing Singh, asserting that those spreading such rumors had their "own agenda".
The lack of progress on Shaktimaan led to Basil Joseph's disillusionment with the Hindi film industry. Kashyap noted that Joseph shared stories about the egos he encountered while trying to navigate the project. Joseph's experience highlights the challenges and complexities of working in Bollywood, even for established filmmakers.
Despite the setback with Shaktimaan, Basil Joseph has continued to thrive as an actor. In 2025 alone, he has appeared in films such as Pravinkoodu Shappu, Ponman, and Maranamass, and made a cameo in Hridayapoorvam. He is also slated to star in Sudha Kongara's Tamil film Parasakthi.
Basil Joseph entered the film industry as an assistant to director Vineeth Sreenivasan. He debuted as a director with Kunjiramayanam (2015), which became a major success, and followed it up with the blockbuster sports comedy Godha (2017). His third directorial venture, Minnal Murali, further solidified his reputation. While his fans eagerly await his return to directing, Joseph's recent experiences serve as a cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of the film industry.
