Anurag Kashyap says Javed Akhtar asked him if he has a problem making money after watching Mukkabaaz: ‘Aapko paise kamane se…’

In a recent conversation with SCREEN, Anurag Kashyap recalled how Javed Akhtar once asked him if he had a problem with making money, after watching his film Mukkabaaz.

3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Oct 26, 2025 06:46 PM IST

Anurag Kashyap’s new film Nishaanchi is set to hit theatres this Friday.

Anurag Kashyap spoke about his favourite Salim-Javed films,

Anurag Kashyap’s films have often been ahead of their time, an observation that has become something of a recurring theme in his career. However, for the filmmaker himself, it’s not always a compliment. In fact, Kashyap has candidly admitted to being irritated when people dismiss his work as “ahead of its time,” especially considering how long it often takes audiences to truly discover his films.

Despite receiving critical acclaim and developing a loyal fanbase, most of Kashyap’s films have struggled to make a major impact at the box office. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, the director reflected on this recurring pattern, sharing a telling anecdote from the screening of his 2018 boxing-love story Mukkabaaz, which involved legendary screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar.

“Javed saab ne ek baar meri film dekhi thi Mukkabaaz aur film ke end par unhone mujhe bola tha ki ‘Aapko paise kamane se dikkat hai kya? Kya ho jata agar woh hero jeet jata tha? Toh baaki toh sab sahi ja raha tha’ (Javed saab once watched my film Mukkabaaz, and at the end he told me, ‘Do you have a problem with making money? What would’ve gone wrong if the hero had just won in the end? Everything else was going so well.’)”

Kashyap, who has long admired the iconic screenwriting duo Salim-Javed, said that with his upcoming film Nishaanchi, he’s attempting something in the same spirit, an effort to recreate the kind of grand, emotional storytelling he grew up watching in their films. “For me, this film is a throwback to what I used to love about films as a kid, the ones that Salim-Javed wrote together. And for me, it is an attempt. My first validation I’ll seek from there, from those two, when they watch the film.”

Also Read | 10 years of Bombay Velvet: Anurag Kashyap’s messy love letter to cinema that was never understood

During the same conversation, Kashyap also reflected on his favourite screenplays by Salim-Javed. “They are plenty. Right from Zanjeer. They have rarely failed. And Deewaar is a fantastic screenplay, an extraordinary screenplay. For me, Deewaar and even Trishul, they both are great, great films.”

Anurag Kashyap’s next directorial venture, Nishaanchi, is set to release in theatres this Friday. The film also marks the big-screen debut of Aaishvary Thackeray.

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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