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Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur is now regarded as one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic films, but its making was far from easy. The filmmaker had to overcome several production hurdles and work within a tight budget. In a recent interaction, he revealed how the production house initially backing the film pulled out just three days before shooting began — because they didn’t believe Nawazuddin Siddiqui could carry off the role of Faizal and wanted him replaced with a bigger star.
Speaking to YouTube channel Game Changers, Anurag recalled, “I left my fees for the film. UTV was producing that film, and they said how will Nawaz play this role. They asked me to bring a big star. They left the film three days before the shooting began. My whole crew, actors were waiting for me.” For Nawazuddin, Gangs of Wasseypur was a turning point as it was his first major role after years of struggle.
Fortunately, co-producer Sunil Bora stepped in and helped Anurag find a new studio. “At that time, co-producer Sunil Bora spoke to Viacom and within two days this new studio came in and told us to make the film,” Anurag said. To show his conviction, Anurag decided to waive his own payment. “For the sake of conviction, I said that I will leave my fees, but I am vouching for Nawaz.”
He also shared another anecdote about casting Pankaj Tripathi as Sultan Qureshi, a butcher in the film. “For Pankaj Tripathi‘s role, we were thinking of casting Pankaj Jha, but he had gone to Pune. I had seen Tripathi’s work, but he is a very soft man in real life, though his eyes are dangerous. I made a vegetarian play the role of a butcher.”
Anurag admitted that the process was quite new for Pankaj as well. “Pankaj himself was very uncomfortable with it. Plus, my process was very new to him. He didn’t know what his role was and how it was shaping up. So, he was confused about what he’s doing. But he gave an excellent performance.”
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