Anurag Kashyap responds to criticism over violent scenes in Vijay Sethupathi’s 'Maharaja'

Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has addressed the mixed reactions to his latest Tamil thriller, Maharaja, which stars Vijay Sethupathi and has achieved a significant milestone by crossing the Rs 100 crore mark.

In his response to criticism, Kashyap compared Maharaja to his previous work, Kill, both of which employ extreme violence as a narrative tool. He argues that such stark portrayals are intended to provoke strong reactions and discourage real-life violence.

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The film's depiction of violence against women has been a point of contention, with some viewers finding it distressing. Kashyap defends this approach, emphasizing that intense and unflinching portrayals are sometimes necessary to elicit the desired emotional response from the audience and to foster societal change.

In his comments, Kashyap also praised Malayalam cinema for its originality and risk-taking. He noted that Malayalam films often prioritize creative storytelling over commercial success, a contrast he finds lacking in the Hindi film industry. Kashyap expressed a preference for Malayalam films due to their innovative approach, highlighting that while Hindi cinema occasionally breaks away from formulaic storytelling—citing films like Laapataa Ladies, 12th Fail, and Kill—it often falls back on familiar patterns.

Overall, Kashyap’s remarks underscore his belief in the power of film to provoke thought and instigate change, even when faced with controversy.