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Anurag Kashyap called Varun Grover after his comment on Sandeep Reddy Vanga: ‘I have a big problem with cancel culture’

Anurag Kashyap opened up about the post he shared in support of Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and addressed Varun Grover’s reaction to it.

3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Oct 26, 2025 06:48 PM IST

Sandeep Reddy Vanga is currently working on his upcoming film Spirit, starring Prabhas

Anurag Kashyap had made a post praising Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

The internet was left in collective shock a year ago when acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap shared a photo with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga on social media. In the post, Kashyap not only praised Vanga’s blockbuster Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor, but also spoke warmly about Vanga as a person, someone he felt was often misunderstood by large sections of the media.

However, it wasn’t just the post that drew attention. Equally headline-grabbing were the reactions from Kashyap’s long-time collaborators and fellow filmmakers, Neeraj Ghaywan and Varun Grover. Ghaywan commented simply, “Cringe,” while Grover wrote, “No.” The terse responses sparked widespread debate online, particularly because all three have previously worked together and are seen as part of the same progressive creative circle.

Now, in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, Anurag Kashyap has opened up about what happened after the post, and how he immediately picked up the phone to speak with Varun Grover. “Yeah, absolutely. And no, I can’t share what we spoke about as it is a very private conversation, because I spoke to him about my private conversation with Vanga, which I could share with him, but it’s not for public consumption. For me those are trust things you don’t break,” he explained.

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Kashyap also took a firm stance against cancel culture, which he feels can be deeply harmful. “I have a big problem with cancel culture. Whether you agree or disagree with a person, cancelling a person like that sometimes gets to me.” A few months ago, Varun Grover had also reflected on the exchange during an interview with Lallantop, where he spoke in detail about the conversation that followed Kashyap’s post. “The special thing about Anurag Kashyap is that he has an open heart and mind,” Grover recalled. “He immediately talks, immediately tries to understand you. So, within half an hour, he called and said, ‘Explain to me. What happened? What’s the problem here?’ So we talked, and he agreed, he said, ‘Yeah, you’re in the right.’ Even later, I went to meet him and we’ve talked about it many times since then.”

Anurag Kashyap is currently gearing up for the release of his next directorial, Nishaanchi, which hits theatres this Friday. Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga is busy preparing for his highly anticipated project Spirit, starring Prabhas.

Anas Arif

Anas Arif is a prolific Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Analyst at The Indian Express, where he specializes in the intersection of Indian pop culture, auteur-driven cinema, and industrial ethics. His writing is defined by a deep-seated commitment to documenting the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment through the lens of critical theory and narrative authorship. Experience & Career As a core member of The Indian Express entertainment vertical, Anas has cultivated a unique beat that prioritizes the "craft behind the celebrity." He has interviewed a vast spectrum of industry veterans, from blockbuster directors like Vijay Krishna Acharya, Sujoy Ghosh, Maneesh Sharma to experimental filmmakers and screenwriters like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Varun Grover, Rajat Kapoor amongst several others. His career is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, where he frequently tackles the ethical implications of mainstream cinema and the socio-political subtext within popular media. He is also the host of the YouTube series Cult Comebacks, where he talks to filmmakers about movies that may not have succeeded initially but have, over time, gained a cult following. The show aims to explore films as works of art, rather than merely commercial ventures designed to earn box office revenue. Expertise & Focus Areas Anas's expertise lies in his ability to deconstruct cinematic works beyond surface-level reviews. His focus areas include: Auteur Studies: Detailed retrospectives and analyses of filmmakers such as Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Kashyap, and Neeraj Ghaywan, often exploring their central philosophies and creative evolutions. Cinematic Deconstruction: Examining technical and narrative choices, such as the use of aspect ratios in independent films (Sabar Bonda) or the structural rhythm of iconic soundtracks (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge). Industrial & Social Ethics: Fearless critique of commercial blockbusters, particularly regarding the promotion of bigoted visions or the marginalization of communities in mainstream scripts. Exclusive Long-form Interviews: Conducting high-level dialogues with actors and creators to uncover archival anecdotes and future-looking industry insights. Authoritativeness & Trust Anas Arif has established himself as a trusted voice by consistently moving away from standard PR-driven journalism. Whether he is interrogating the "mythology of Shah Rukh Khan" in modern sequels or providing a space for independent filmmakers to discuss the "arithmetic of karma," his work is rooted in objectivity and extensive research. Readers look to Anas for an educated viewpoint that treats entertainment not just as a commodity, but as a critical reflection of the country's collective conscience. ... Read More

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