Summary
In a candid revelation that has set the Bollywood world abuzz, acclaimed actor, writer, and lyricist Piyush Mishra has boldly criticised Anurag Kashyap for “ruining the second halves” of his otherwise brilliant films like Gulaal, Dev D, and Gangs of Wasseypur — even as Kashyap gears up for his highly-anticipated new film Nishaanchi.
This honest critique has ignited discussions across the industry, while also sparking fresh curiosity around Kashyap’s next cinematic venture.
Piyush Mishra Opens Up About Anurag Kashyap’s Filmmaking Style
In a recent conversation on the Humans of Cinema YouTube channel, Piyush Mishra appeared alongside Manoj Bajpayee, Ranjan Singh, Raam Reddy, and Anurag Kashyap himself. During this candid panel, Piyush didn’t mince his words while discussing Kashyap’s filmmaking approach.
When asked if he revisits Kashyap’s cult films like Gulaal and Gangs of Wasseypur, Piyush admitted,
“Gulaal toh… maaf karna Anurag. Par uska second half pata nahi kya tha. Iski dikkat yeh hai ki woh apni adhi film achhi bana leta hai, phir lagta hai ki bohot badiya film ban rahi hai, aur phir usse bigaad kar dekhta hai.”
He explained that Gulaal had the potential to be a cinematic classic, but its second half lost the narrative grip that the first half had built so masterfully.
Piyush extended this criticism to Dev D as well, saying, “The first half was a classic, and then he ruined it.” Manoj Bajpayee humorously chimed in, crediting Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s cameo in the song Emotional Attyachar for saving the film’s latter half.
Critique Extends to Gangs of Wasseypur
Piyush also reflected on Gangs of Wasseypur, one of Kashyap’s most celebrated works, claiming that the director lost narrative control midway through the saga.
“I don’t know what his problem is. Gangs of Wasseypur had the same issue; he made the first part, then he lost his mind. I thought Dev D would be a film on alcoholism, and then it became something strange.”
This frank statement has triggered widespread debate on social media, with cinephiles revisiting these films to evaluate their second halves more closely.
Anurag Kashyap’s Comeback: All Eyes on Nishaanchi
Despite this wave of criticism, Anurag Kashyap remains unfazed and is all set to make a powerful comeback with his upcoming directorial Nishaanchi. This film marks the acting debut of Aaishvary Thackeray, grandson of the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
Nishaanchi also features Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra in pivotal roles, promising a strong ensemble performance. The film is scheduled to hit theatres nationwide on September 19, and industry buzz suggests that it could mark a fresh chapter in Kashyap’s filmmaking journey.
Manoj Bajpayee Shines in Jugnuma
Meanwhile, Manoj Bajpayee is busy promoting Raam Reddy’s Jugnuma, which released on September 12. The film stars Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Hiral Sidhu, Awan Pookot, and Tillotama Shome, and has been receiving positive early reviews for its powerful storytelling and soulful performances.
Final Thoughts
Piyush Mishra’s fearless remarks about Anurag Kashyap may have stirred controversy, but they’ve also reignited conversations around storytelling quality in Bollywood. While some agree with Piyush’s critique of the second halves in Gulaal, Dev D, and Gangs of Wasseypur, others see Kashyap as a trailblazer who experiments with unconventional narratives.
With Nishaanchi around the corner, the industry is watching closely to see if Kashyap delivers a complete cinematic experience this time — proving his critics wrong and reminding the world why he remains one of India’s most influential filmmakers.
Note: All information and images used in this content are sourced from Google. They are used here for informational and illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Piyush Mishra?
Piyush Mishra is a renowned Indian actor, writer, lyricist, and singer known for his impactful performances and contributions to Hindi theatre and cinema. He has worked on several acclaimed films and stage projects.
What did Piyush Mishra say about Anurag Kashyap?
In a recent interview on the Humans of Cinema YouTube channel, Piyush Mishra openly criticised filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, saying that he often makes excellent first halves in his films but fails to maintain the same quality in the second halves.
Which films did Piyush Mishra criticise?
Piyush Mishra specifically mentioned Gulaal, Dev D, and Gangs of Wasseypur. He felt that all these films started strongly but lost their narrative strength and focus in the latter half.
What was Piyush Mishra’s opinion on Gulaal?
He said that Gulaal was shaping up to be a great film, but its second half was poorly executed, which ruined the overall impact of the film.
What did he say about Dev D?
Piyush Mishra described the first half of Dev D as a classic but felt that the second half derailed and lost its focus. Manoj Bajpayee humorously added that Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s cameo in the song Emotional Attyachar saved the latter half of the film.
What was his criticism about Gangs of Wasseypur?
He felt that Anurag Kashyap made the first part well but lost control of the narrative later, resulting in an inconsistent storytelling arc in Gangs of Wasseypur.
What is Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming film?
Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming film is titled Nishaanchi. It features Aaishvary Thackeray (in his acting debut), Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra. It is scheduled to release nationwide on September 19.
What film is Manoj Bajpayee promoting currently?
Manoj Bajpayee is promoting Jugnuma, directed by Raam Reddy. The film also stars Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Hiral Sidhu, Awan Pookot, and Tillotama Shome, and it was released on September 12.