Anurag Kashyap says people think his downfall began when he ‘shook hands’ with Karan Johar: ‘You sold out’ | Bollywood News – Knoow.in

Karan Johar might be remembered for his small but memorable role in Aditya Chopra's Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayengebut his acting chops were on full display in Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet. In the film, he essayed the role of Kaizad Khambatta, a flamboyant Parsi media mogul and the central antagonist of the story. As sharp-witted as he was on screen, Karan’s acting career, unfortunately, never quite took off, a fact he still often regrets, particularly because the film bombed at the box office. However, in the lead-up to its release, there was growing curiosity about what Karan Johar was doing in an “Anurag Kashyap work.” The anticipation, however, soon turned into controversy, with many questioning Kashyap’s decision to cast him.

Speaking exclusively to SCREEN, Kashyap opened up about the backlash he faced. “People saw me and Karan as rivals, as two different ends of a spectrum. Him doing that film was also kind of disappointing for many people. A lot of those who used to follow my work felt that I had sold out, that I was making a film with a star and with Karan Johar involved. Whatever it was, that became the story from then on, and it still persists. Even now, people say that my downfall happened because I ‘shook hands’ with Karan. And I’m like, what do you mean by shaking hands? We did a film together.”

Anurag Kashyap was was highly impressed by Karan Johar’s acting in the film.

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Anurag Kashyap added that casting Karan Johar was a choice that felt completely natural. “He was very natural for the role. He doesn’t believe it, but I think he was fantastic with what he did there. But unfortunately, the film didn’t work.” The filmmaker also revealed that the film’s failure affected his relationships with his co-stars, particularly Ranbir Kapoor. “I think Ranbir was very upset that, and he keeps saying, ‘Why do you keep talking about Bombay Velvet? Just ignore it. The film didn’t work, it didn’t work, but you don’t have to talk about it all the time.’ But people ask me questions all the time, how can I just ignore that?”

Reflecting on the immediate aftermath of the film’s release, Kashyap admitted that it was difficult to confront his co-stars. “We don’t meet often. Whenever we meet, we just hug and greet each other. And at the beginning, I just didn’t know how to face them because they had given me a lot of trust and love. And I was dealing with my own demons. So I needed to come out of that and make a very small film. I was very focused on Raman Raghav. But slowly, I think, we became distant.”

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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