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Anurag Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor known for influential Hindi-language films and for helping shape India’s independent and parallel cinema movement.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Anurag Kashyap is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor known for influential Hindi-language films and for helping shape India’s independent and parallel cinema movement. He gained wide recognition for films such as Black Friday and Gangs of Wasseypur, and he has also written and produced award-winning films including Satya and Water.

Early life and background

Anurag Kashyap was born on 10 September 1972 in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Public biographies identify him as an Indian filmmaker whose work spans directing, producing, and screenwriting.

Career

Kashyap became known for Black Friday and later for films such as No Smoking, Dev.D, Gulaal, That Girl in Yellow Boots, and Gangs of Wasseypur. He also wrote or produced several notable films, including Satya, Water, and The Lunchbox.

Style and influence

He is widely associated with a more realistic, independent, and often gritty style of Hindi cinema. His work has had significant influence on the newer wave of Indian filmmakers and festival-circuit recognition for Indian films.

Production work

Kashyap founded Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt. Ltd. in 2009 and has been involved in producing and co-producing films and series. His production work includes projects that have received both Indian and international recognition.

Key facts

  • Kashyap was born in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1972.
  • He is associated with the rise of contemporary Indian independent cinema.
  • Black Friday brought him major attention as a filmmaker.
  • Gangs of Wasseypur is widely regarded as one of his most prominent works.
  • He wrote the screenplay for the Canadian film Water (2005), which was nominated for an Academy Award.
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Canadian context

He wrote the screenplay for Water (2005), an Academy Award-nominated Canadian film directed by Deepa Mehta.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Anurag Kashyap?
Anurag Kashyap is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor known for acclaimed Hindi-language films and for supporting independent cinema.
When was Anurag Kashyap born?
He was born on 10 September 1972.
What is Anurag Kashyap best known for?
He is best known for Black Friday and Gangs of Wasseypur, along with other influential films such as Dev.D and Gulaal.
Has Anurag Kashyap written films as well as directed them?
Yes. He wrote the screenplay for Satya and Water, among other projects.
Did Anurag Kashyap found a production company?
Yes. He founded Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt. Ltd. in 2009.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anurag_Kashyap
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, major films, and prominence for Gangs of Wasseypur.
  2. IMDb — https://imdb.com/name/nm0440604/
    Supports: Born in 1972, occupations, directorial debut information, notable films, screenplay credits, and production company founding.
  3. Film Independent — https://www.filmindependent.org/people/anurag-kashyap/
    Supports: Career overview, awards, major works, production companies, and international recognition.
  4. Wikipedia (Hindi) — https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97_%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA
    Supports: Birthplace and birth date.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_(2005_film)
    Supports: Water as a Canadian film and Kashyap's screenplay credit.