Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap has finally stepped into Kannada cinema with 8, directed by Sujay Shastry. The film, produced by Arvind Venkatesh Reddy under the AVR Pictures banner, will be a fresh subject for Anurag Kashyap, who is known for his intense and unconventional storytelling. The actor kickstarted his shoot on Friday and shared insights into how the film came to him, the persistence of the team, and why he eventually agreed to do it.
"For me, it was strange—I got too many calls from the team. The director was very keen," Kashyap revealed, recalling how Sujay Shastry's determination played a crucial role in convincing him. "It is about football. I look like a football! But then he took me into the story, and it was very emotional. It resonates because we all go through phases where we lose everything. And then, life gives us a second chance. This film is about redemption, about finding that second chance through other people and through a sport."
Expressing his gratitude to the team for their persistence, Anurag Kashyap said, "Thank you for constantly chasing me. This is something new, and I’m glad someone saw beyond the ‘psychopath’ in me."
Known for his crime dramas, Anurag Kashyap is often questioned about the absence of romance or heroines in his films. Addressing this, he said, "I have made love stories. But people only remember me for gangsters! It’s all about perception."
Anurag Kashyap also spoke about the power of storytelling and why cinema remains his passion. "Stories make us believe, keep us going. We grew up listening to stories from our parents. The more we tell stories that haven't been told before, the more we inspire people. Watching a film in a theatre and feeling something deeply is far better than being in a lab making vaccines—which, by the way, most of my friends are into. Every time I meet them, I feel glad I became a filmmaker."
Anurag Kashyap, who has recently discovered the work of Raj B Shetty, is eager to explore more of Kannada cinema. "Right now, the actor I recently discovered was Raj B Shetty. The industry is full of talent, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it."