Acclaimed filmmaker-turned-actor Anurag Kashyap, best known for his bold storytelling and gritty cinema, has recently found a new wave of popularity in the South Indian film industry—this time, in front of the camera. From his menacing turn in Imaikkaa Nodigal to his standout performance in the 2024 blockbuster Maharaja, Kashyap’s transition to acting is earning praise.
But his role in Maharaja, it turns out, wasn’t just a career move—it was also personal. Speaking at an event hosted by The Hindu, Kashyap shared a candid anecdote about how his role in the film came about thanks to actor Vijay Sethupathi.
“I had been turning down several South films after Imaikkaa Nodigal. But during Kennedy post-production, I kept meeting Vijay Sethupathi at my neighbour’s place,” Kashyap recounted. “He kept pushing this one script, and eventually, I told him I needed funds for my daughter’s wedding. He simply said, ‘We’ll help you.’ And that’s how Maharaja happened.”
Kashyap’s daughter, influencer Aaliyah Kashyap, recently married Shane Gregoire, and the Maharaja opportunity came at just the right time. Grateful for Sethupathi’s support, Kashyap even added a “Thank You” card to him in Kennedy.
Since then, Kashyap has embraced acting more openly, landing significant roles in Viduthalai Part 2 by Vetrimaaran, Rifle Club directed by Aashiq Abu, and the Hindi web series Bad Cop by Aditya Datt. He’s also set to appear in Dacoit: A Love Story, a bilingual project starring Adivi Sesh.
Interestingly, Kashyap admitted he wasn’t always confident in his acting. “I thought I was the worst actor on screen, but it taught me how not to direct,” he joked. His acting journey actually began as a way to settle debts following the failure of Bombay Velvet in 2015. “Fox Star Studios asked me to act in Akira and said they’d write off what I owed. That made me the highest-paid unpaid actor,” he added with a laugh.
Kashyap’s evolution from director to in-demand actor has been as unconventional as his filmmaking—but it’s clear he’s embracing this new chapter with humility and humour.
