Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his gritty and groundbreaking films, recently made a heartfelt appearance on his daughter Aaliyah Kashyap’s podcast. The candid conversation touched on his personal life, past relationships, and his role as a father.
Anurag, who began his career as a screenwriter, has been married twice and shares a daughter, Aaliyah, with his first wife, film editor Aarti Bajaj. During the podcast, Aaliyah, who invited her father to discuss his life openly, asked him about the impact of his divorces and his thoughts on remarrying.
Reflecting on his past, the "Dev.D" director admitted, "I have realized that I am not a relationship person." He attributed this to his obsessive dedication to his work and the unique challenges of the Indian film industry, noting that in Europe, a filmmaker’s financial stability through royalties allows for a different lifestyle. "Here, there is no royalty; there’s no system like that. So, I have to make more films at a higher frequency," Kashyap explained.
Anurag’s first marriage to Aarti Bajaj ended in 2009, and his subsequent marriage to actress Kalki Koechlin concluded in 2015. When asked if he would consider marrying again, he quickly responded, "I don’t think so."
The podcast also delved into Anurag’s parenting style. Describing himself as a "terrible parent," he confessed, "I think I have been like a friend to you rather than a father and I know you miss that. Your mother has actually been your mom. She has been my mom and for a couple of years, she was also my dad." Despite his self-criticism, Aaliyah disagreed, praising her father's friendly approach as a testament to his positive influence.
In a lighter moment, Aaliyah humorously expressed her desire for a sibling, saying, "I thought since you and mom are divorced, both of you will date different people and I will get at least one sibling from one of you." Anurag, laughing, replied, "Your father is too old to father a child."
Currently, Anurag Kashyap is focused on his upcoming Tamil film "One 2 One," where he stars as an actor. He gained significant recognition with his two-part crime saga "Gangs of Wasseypur," which solidified his reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
The podcast episode provided a rare glimpse into Anurag Kashyap's personal reflections and his close bond with his daughter, revealing the complexities and nuances of balancing a demanding career with personal relationships.
