Vicky Kaushal, known for his versatile acting and recent success in "Chhaava," has articulated a vision for his career that goes beyond mere financial success, aiming to build a lasting legacy in the film industry. This comes in the wake of comments from director Anurag Kashyap, who suggested that Bollywood has become increasingly "money-minded" and that he is no longer in frequent contact with Kaushal.
Kaushal, speaking at the Yuvaa Conclave, emphasized that he is not driven by money but by the desire to be part of stories that resonate with him and, hopefully, with the audience. "I don't even look at what characters I want to play; I want to be moved by stories. I want to be a part of stories that move me, and hopefully move the audience," he stated. He further added, "Once I have made that choice, there is nothing I want to complain about that comes with fame. I love it, I want more of it, and I have worked very hard for this love, and this love will never be a cause of worry or tension".
The actor, who began his career assisting Kashyap before his breakthrough role in "Masaan" (2015), sees himself as a "legacy builder". He believes that a true legacy is built on both quality work and box office success. "I'm here to build a legacy, and a legacy can't just be built on crores. It has to be built on quality and box office both. It's about looking back at a basket of films to be proud of, and people can be proud of," Kaushal explained. He aspires to achieve the iconic status of cinematic legends such as Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Govinda. "I have to become much bigger. I don't want to be in the middle ground," he added.
Kashyap, in an interview with The Lallantop, revealed that he has limited interaction with Kaushal these days. He admitted to watching parts of "Chhaava," specifically to see his friend Viineet Kumar Singh, who played a supporting role. However, Kashyap confessed that he didn't enjoy "Chhaava", saying, "More than 'Chhaava', it felt like 'The Passion of the Christ'. I didn't like it". He also expressed his discomfort with what he perceived as the film's exploitative sensibilities. Kashyap stated that he didn't admire Kaushal's performance in the film.
Kashyap has voiced his disillusionment with the increasing focus on financial gains within Bollywood. "The atmosphere in Bollywood has become more money-minded. People are looking at 'crores' in their decision-making. This is what I ran away from. I don't want to return to that world," he said. He also stated, “I don't judge him, because every person has their own reasons… I don't repeat myself. What I wanted to say, I said".
Despite Kashyap's sentiments, Kaushal remains focused on his vision of creating a body of work that he can be proud of. His emphasis on selecting stories that move him, rather than chasing large paychecks, suggests a commitment to artistic integrity and a desire to leave a meaningful mark on Indian cinema.
