Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has made a candid revelation about the deep personal and professional impact of his ambitious 2015 film 'Bombay Velvet' crashing at the box office. In a recent interview, Kashyap detailed the painful period following the film's release, which not only represented a commercial setback but also significantly strained his relationships with the lead stars, Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.
The Aftermath of a Box Office Disaster
Released in May 2015, 'Bombay Velvet' was a big-budget Hindi neo-noir period crime drama that failed to connect with audiences. Kashyap shared that the fallout was severe and extended far beyond financial losses. He described a phase filled with hurt feelings and awkwardness, especially with the actors who had placed their complete trust in his vision.
"The failure did not just affect the film but also affected my bond with the lead actors," Kashyap admitted. He emphasized that it was a very painful time for everyone involved as the project did not meet expectations. The director found it particularly hard to face Kapoor and Sharma afterward, grappling with feelings of guilt.
Ranbir Kapoor's Deep Disappointment and Growing Distance
Kashyap specifically highlighted Ranbir Kapoor's reaction to the film's failure. He stated that the actor was deeply upset and has since been reluctant to revisit the topic. "I think Ranbir was very upset, 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,’" Kashyap recounted.
He explained his own predicament, noting that journalists constantly ask him about the film, making it impossible to simply move on. This shared trauma, however, created an unintended distance. Kashyap confessed that meetings became infrequent and initially awkward. "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," he said.
Healing Through Work and Critical Reception
To cope with the aftermath, Kashyap stated he needed space to heal and immersed himself in a smaller film. He channeled his energy into working deeply on 'Raman Raghav 2.0', which helped in his personal recovery process. Meanwhile, 'Bombay Velvet' itself received a mixed response from critics. While some praised its distinctive style and visual grandeur, others critiqued it for lacking emotional depth. A contemporary review pointed out the film's intensely stylized approach came at the cost of emotional pull.
On the professional front, Anurag Kashyap has continued to work actively. He recently appeared in the Tisca Chopra-directed OTT thriller 'Saali Mohabbat', featuring Radhika Apte and Divyenndu Sharma. His reflections on 'Bombay Velvet' offer a rare glimpse into the enduring emotional cost of a high-profile flop in Bollywood, where commercial failure can ripple through personal relationships long after the box office numbers are forgotten.
