Anurag Kashyap has revealed that actor-director Basil Joseph “wasted two years” of his career trying to make the much-hyped Shaktimaan reboot, which has since stalled.

Speaking on the Chalchitra Talks podcast, the Bollywood writer-filmmaker-actor praised Basil’s versatility in films such as Ponman and also referred to his last directorial venture Minnal Murali. “I asked him how he manages it, given the range of roles he has done in just two or three years. He told me he had wasted two years of his life trying to make Shaktimaan. He asked, ‘God, how do you survive in this industry?’ He expressed exactly what I have felt. I said, ‘I couldn’t, that’s why I moved away.’ That man wasted two years,” Anurag recalled.

Basil was once linked to Sony Pictures India’s planned Shaktimaan film, with Ranveer Singh reportedly set to play the superhero. However, the project ran into production hurdles and opposition from Mukesh Khanna, the creator and original star of the television series. With no updates in recent months, the film appears to be indefinitely shelved.

The subject returned to the spotlight recently when Basil announced the launch of his production house, Basil Joseph Entertainment. While colleagues, including Tovino Thomas, congratulated him, it was Ranveer’s comment, a heart emoji and an evil-eye emoji, that drew attention. Basil’s reply, “Bhai,” reignited chatter about their earlier Shaktimaan connection.

Basil recently appeared in a cameo in Sathyan Anthikad’s Hridayapoorvam, headlined by Mohanlal.

Anurag’s latest film Nishaanchi hit theatres on September 19.