Piyush Mishra Unleashes Fury: "Anurag Kashyap Spoiled Dev D and Gulaal"

Veteran actor, writer, and poet Piyush Mishra, known for his incisive wit and profound artistic contributions, has unleashed a scathing critique against long-time collaborator and renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. In a candid and unfiltered interview, Mishra expressed deep-seated disappointment, accusing Kashyap of "spoiling" two pivotal films they worked on together: the critically acclaimed 'Dev D' and the intense political drama 'Gulaal'.

His words, sharp and emotionally charged, have sent ripples through the industry, revealing a rift previously unacknowledged with such directness.

Mishra's primary grievance centers around the creative direction of 'Dev D'. As the original writer, he envisioned a raw, rustic adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic 'Devdas'.

However, he claims Kashyap drastically altered this vision, transforming it into a modern, urban narrative infused with what Mishra bluntly termed "urban crap" and "gandagi" (filth). "I wrote it," Mishra recounted, his frustration palpable, "and he completely messed it up. He added so much urban nonsense, so much filth that it lost its soul.

My Dev D was supposed to be earthy, rooted, not this fashionable, urbanised version." His sentiment reveals a profound sense of artistic betrayal, seeing his original creation morphed into something he no longer recognised or appreciated.

The veteran artist's discontent extends forcefully to 'Gulaal', a project he invested three arduous years in.

Mishra meticulously crafted the dialogues and contributed significantly to the film's narrative fabric. Yet, he was left deeply hurt when Anurag Kashyap, according to Mishra, unfairly claimed sole credit for the story. "I toiled on 'Gulaal' for three years, pouring my heart into the dialogues and the story's development," Mishra revealed, the pain of perceived exploitation evident in his voice.

"For him to take all the story credit, it felt like a deep cut. He used my work, my ideas, and then sidelined my contribution." This alleged oversight struck Mishra as a stark example of intellectual property appropriation, fueling his public condemnation.

Despite his harsh criticism, Mishra did not completely dismiss Kashyap's talent, acknowledging his potential as a filmmaker.

However, his overall message was clear: Kashyap, in these instances, mishandled and ultimately compromised projects that held immense artistic promise for Mishra. The frankness of his statements – "isne bahut bigaad diya" (he spoiled a lot) – underscores the gravity of his disappointment, suggesting that these are not mere creative differences but fundamental clashes that have left lasting scars on their professional relationship.

Mishra's revelations offer a rare glimpse into the often-complex and occasionally contentious world of film collaborations, where artistic integrity and credit can become fierce battlegrounds.