Kashyap: Bollywood Chasing Trends, Not Originality

Bollywood in 2026 is heavily leaning into patriotic and devotional themes, a trend Anurag Kashyap views as a stranglehold on industry diversity. He argues that studios are primarily greenlighting films within these two genres, making it a struggle for other kinds of cinema to emerge. Kashyap is actively supporting the independently made children's film 'Little Thomas', directed by Kaushal Oza and starring Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Dugal. He sees his role as an executive producer as an 'enabler', focused on maintaining morale and aiding the film's completion and release.

Kashyap characterizes the current industry climate as one where filmmakers feel uncertain about what to produce, with many producers admitting that only patriotic or devotional films are currently getting approved. Despite this, he believes there is still space for slice-of-life films, hoping 'Little Thomas' can find an audience by being distinct from prevailing trends. The film, featuring child actor Hridansh Parekh in the title role, is slated for a theatrical release on October 23rd, aiming to offer a different cinematic experience.

He also distinguishes between films with children and actual children's films, questioning genre classifications. Kashyap points to international examples and acclaimed series to illustrate how narratives centered on young people can appeal to adult audiences. This perspective highlights his nuanced view on content creation beyond prevailing commercial demands.