Chhaava filmmaker Laxman Utekar recently reacted to filmmaker-actor Anurag Kashyap's decision to quit what he called a 'toxic' Bollywood — a space he believes is solely driven by box office numbers and leaves little room for creative freedom. Responding to Anurag’s criticism, Laxman remarked, "Chale jao chod kar, beshak chale jao, koi zabadasti nahi kar raha hai."
In an interview with Mama’s Couch, Laxman stated that as a filmmaker, one must evolve and not remain stuck in the past. He also criticised him for blaming audiences, stating that it's unfair to say they lack sensibility. He added, "Aaj audience ke paas apne phone mein duniya bhar ka cinema hai. They are more updated than you. They know what to watch and what not to. And after every three years, cinema is changing. cinematography is changing, editing is changing, storytelling, costume… everything is changing."
Laxman further stated that it is wrong to claim the audience lacks the sensibility to appreciate a film. Instead, he argued, it is Anurag who lacks the sensibility to understand and accept the audience’s taste.
He added, "Aaj 700-800 crore tak business kar rahi hai films… how can you say cinema is dying? Aap collection toh dekho Baahubali ka, RRR ka, Pushpa ka—1200 crore tak ka collection tha. Ya phir in fact Chhaava ka. Sensibility aapki change honi chahiye kyunki aap wahin par aatke huye ho." Laxman said that filmmakers will have to evolve with time as the audience is constantly evolving. "
The director also took a dig at certain filmmakers who, according to him, make films exclusively for a niche audience residing between Bandra and Juhu. He added that there’s nothing wrong with living in those areas — in fact, he too would like to live there.
"Inn logon ka holiday hota hai London, New York, Dubai mein… unko Bandra ke aage Parel, Thane, Chembur jaise areas pata hi nahi. They don’t even know these areas exist. Jab aap apna desh ghume hi nahi ho… aap apne desh ko jaante hi nahi ho… aap apne brands mein busy ho… toh unko kaise pata chalega ki log kya dekhna chahte hai," concluded Laxman.
