Anurag Kashyap and Vikram’s Early Struggles
Anurag Kashyap recently shared an intriguing story about witnessing the rise of Tamil cinema superstar Vikram and how it influenced his own filmmaking choices. Today celebrated as one of the finest actors of his generation, Vikram’s journey was far from easy. Despite being born into a film-oriented family, he faced challenges establishing himself in the industry.
Vikram debuted as a lead in En Kadhal Kanmani (1990) but soon found himself in supporting roles across various languages, including Malayalam. To sustain himself and refine his craft, he took on work as a dubbing artist for notable actors such as Ajith Kumar, Prabhu Deva, and Abbas in films like Amaravathi, Kaadhalan, Kadhal Desam, and Kandukondain Kandukondain.
Anurag Kashyap revealed that Vikram even lent his voice for the Tamil version of Ram Gopal Varma’s cult classic Satya (1998), dubbing for Manoj Bajpayee’s iconic character Bhiku Mhatre. At that time, Vikram was still struggling to secure acting opportunities and was taking on varied projects to stay afloat in the industry.
Sethu and the Moment That Changed Everything
Anurag Kashyap recalled how Vikram’s breakthrough came with Bala’s Sethu (1999). Initially, the film had just a single show at noon, yet it gradually captured the audience’s attention, ultimately becoming a landmark in Tamil cinema.
“When Sethu started gaining attention, I was amazed. We saw it slowly blowing up before our eyes. One person’s conviction and the right casting can truly change the course of cinema,” Anurag shared. He was so impressed that he immediately approached his mentor, RGV, to remake the film in Hindi. Although Anurag initially began work on the Hindi remake, the project eventually went to Satish Kaushik as Tere Naam (2003), starring Salman Khan.
This experience left a lasting impression on Anurag Kashyap, highlighting the importance of spotting talent and trusting unconventional actors even when their prospects seem uncertain.
How Dhanush Inspired Fearless Casting
Anurag Kashyap also spoke about observing Dhanush’s debut in Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002). Despite the language barrier, Anurag managed to grasp the essence of the film and was impressed by Dhanush’s screen presence.
Watching Dhanush’s journey reinforced Anurag’s belief in giving opportunities to talented actors who may not fit traditional casting molds. This perspective directly influenced his decision to cast Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role of Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). “Back then, it felt unusual to have someone like Nawazuddin as a protagonist in a Hindi film. Watching Dhanush’s rise and the way RGV cast actors gave me the confidence to take that leap,” Anurag explained.
This approach became a hallmark of Anurag Kashyap’s filmmaking style spotting raw talent, taking calculated risks, and redefining conventional storytelling norms in Hindi cinema.
The Impact of Observing Tamil Cinema on Hindi Filmmaking
For Anurag Kashyap, Tamil cinema has always been a source of inspiration. Seeing actors like Vikram and Dhanush navigate early struggles, embrace versatile roles, and ultimately achieve stardom shaped his perspective on casting and storytelling.
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By drawing lessons from their journeys, Anurag developed a keen eye for actors with potential beyond the mainstream mold. His experiences with Sethu and Thulluvadho Ilamai instilled in him the courage to trust unconventional leads, contributing to critically acclaimed works like Gangs of Wasseypur that challenged audience expectations. Also Read: Actor Madhavan Faces Struggle Amid Torrential Rains in Leh: Heartbreaking Travel Chaos 2025
Conclusion
Anurag Kashyap’s reflections underline the importance of perseverance, talent, and bold casting choices in cinema. From witnessing Vikram’s dubbing days and breakout performance in Sethu to observing Dhanush’s rise, Anurag’s experiences shaped his fearless approach to filmmaking. By trusting unproven actors and unconventional stories, he has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, proving that vision and conviction often outweigh conventional wisdom.
