I didn't want 'Dev D' to fare bad: Anurag

Feb 15, 2009 IANS

New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) On a high after the success of "Dev D", director Anurag Kashyap admitted that he was nervous before the release of the movie as his last film "No Smoking" was panned by critics and audience alike.

"Everyone had so many expectations from 'No Smoking' but after watching the movie people thought that I had completely lost it. 'Muje unko movie samjhani padi' (I had to make them understand the movie). So, I was very nervous because I didn't want the same thing to happen to 'Dev D'," Anurag Kashyap told IANS in an event here Friday.

"This time the movie was easily understood by the audience because of the treatment and also because most of them could relate to it, one-way or the other," he added.

Kashyap, 36, known for making hard-hitting and dark movies like "Black Friday", revealed that "Dev D" was his attempt to make a soft movie but he failed in that too.

"I guess it is in my genes to make such hard-hitting movies. I just can't help it. Even if I try to make a light movie, it will still have some dark shades," Kashyap maintained.

"Look at 'Dev D', it is a romantic movie but with the dark realities of life," he said.

Talking about the word 'emotional atyachaar' that has already became a rage among youngsters, Kashyap said: "Ideas happen just like this only. One day I was sleeping and suddenly this word came into my mind and the rest is the history."

After giving two back-to-back flops - "No Smoking" and "Hanuman Returns", Kashyap has managed to get good reviews from the critics for "Dev D" and he still can't digest the fact that one among them gave him five-star rating.

"These critics have bashed me so many times that I was prepared for any kind of criticism but to my surprise I got a five-star rating for the movie. I have kept the cutting of that review and I read it every day because I still can't believe it," he explained.

Kashyap's next release is much delayed "Gulal" that is finally hitting the screens March 13.

"The movie is based on politics and as usual is very hard-hitting. There has been no change in the script as per speculations, everything is the same," he said.

"This is very easily going to be one of my best movies," he added.

Now Kashyap along Madhur Bhandarkar, Mahesh Manjrekar and Vikram Bhatt will direct a mini series "Specials@10" for the Sony Entertainment.

Directors will work independently for their series that will telecast March 2 from Monday to Thursday at 10 p.m.

"This is a very brilliant idea because people are bored of watching reality shows and long soaps on the television. A 12 episode series like this helps in attracting audience attention," Kashyap said.

After directing the series, Kashyap is planning to take a break and make a sci-fi or a comic caper.

"I do not know what next, but yes I want to take a break and go somewhere for holiday. I guess I deserve that," he said. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Dev D