‘I made a vegetarian play murderer: Anurag Kashyap reveals Pankaj Tripathi’s discomfort playing the role in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur'

Anurag Kashyap’s 2012 movie ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ is known for bringing new talent to the film industry. One of the actors introduced was Pankaj Tripathi. In a recent interview, the filmmaker revealed that Pankaj was a bit uncomfortable playing the role of a butcher in the film.

Anurag Kashyap opens up about Pankaj Tripathi’s role

While talking on the YouTube channel Game Changers, Anurag shared, “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.”


Pankaj Tripathi’s discomfort and performance

He added, “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 was doing. But he gave an excellent performance.”

The production house pulls out before shooting.


Anurag disclosed that the production company backed out of the film just two days before shooting was to start because they didn’t believe Nawazuddin Siddiqui could convincingly play the gangster Faisal Khan. “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 of actors was waiting for me,” he said.

Co-producer Sunil Bora saves the project


Following that setback, co-producer Sunil Bora got involved and managed to find a new studio to back the film. The filmmaker said, “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. For the sake of conviction, I said that I will leave my fees, but I am vouching for Nawaz.”

Anurag Kashyap’s latest film release


Meanwhile, Anurag’s new movie, ‘Nishaanchi,’ came out in theaters earlier in September.