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Published 18:58 IST, December 28th 2019

Anurag Kashyap's 'Hanuman' termed one of the best in animation, he calls it 'terrible'

Anurag Kashyap's 'Return of Hanuman' was termed as one of the best in animation films in India by a netizen. The filmmaker, however, called it 'terrible'.

Reported by: Joel Kurian
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Anurag Kashyap has always been known for his ‘dark’ and ‘intense’ movies. Be it shooting to fame as a writer in Satya, courting controversy with his first two films Paanch and Black Friday, or later establishing himself as one of the best directors in the country with films like Dev.D and Gangs of Wasseypur, intensity has been something he thrives on.

However, many might not be aware that he made something completely opposite to his usual intense fare as well - an animation film Return of Hanuman in 2007. 

READ: Anurag Kashyap Adds Cryptic & Serious Twist To Amitabh Bachchan's Joke About The New Year

While animation has been a genre that the Indian film industry has failed to make inroads in the same way as some of the other genres, Return of Hanuman is often considered an aberration. As the movie completed 12 years on Saturday, a netizen called it ‘one of the best animated films made in India’. However, the filmmaker expressed his disagreement, calling it ‘terrible’. 

The Manmarziyaan director stated that he was ‘incapable’ of making an animation film.  He also gave the examples of Geetanjali Rao’s films and the Japanese-Ramayan collaborations. Anurag also called it a ‘lost opportunity’ since he felt much more could have been done with it. 

READ: Radhika Apte Denies Writing Anurag Kashyap's 'Lust Stories', Says 'it's A Joke'

A netizen wrote to Anurag Kashyap, “12 Years of #ReturnOfHanuman: Arguably one of the best animated films made in India. Had so much fun watching the film as a kid! @anuragkashyap72 merged mythology with new-age fiction effortlessly.

He added, "He must make another animated film soon.” Anurag, however, was far from pleased.

The user replied, “Being critical of your work is a good thing but as an audience member, I firmly believe it was a genuinely well-made film.” The Akira director revealed that he didn’t utilise the full potential of the medium.

READ: Abhishek Bachchan, Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra To Star In Anurag Basu's Ludo

What’s next for Anurag? 

On the professional front, Anurag Kashyap is currently gearing up for the release of Ghost Stories. He has directed one of the four stories in the anthology. After Bombay Talkies and Lust Stories, this time the directors are focussing on the paranormal.

READ: Richa Chadha Claims Twitter 'doing An Anurag Kashyap' On Her Followers, But Has Options

Updated 18:58 IST, December 28th 2019

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