Vasan Bala left Wasseypur gangs after fight with Anurag Kashyap: ‘Piyush Mishra became frustrated’

Last update:December 25, 2024, 03:43 IST

Vasan Bala left Gangs of Wasseypur after a heated argument with Anurag Kashyap, but credits it with paving the way for his career-defining stint with Michael Winterbottom.

Vasan Bala, acclaimed for Monica, O My Darling and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, began his career as an assistant director to Anurag Kashyap on Gangs of Wasseypur. However, her stint in the iconic film was cut short after a heated argument with Kashyap. In a conversation with Mashable India, Bala spoke about the confrontation that led to him leaving the project.

Recalling the incident, Bala shared, “After 50 days of shooting, me and Anurag sir had a fight.” The altercation happened while they were traveling with actor Piyush Mishra, who eventually got so fed up with their loud disagreement that he stopped the car and demanded “We were shouting so much in the car that Piyush bhai was frustrated,” Vasan added.

Despite the argument, the tension did not sour the relationship between the two filmmakers. Bala thanked Kashyap for supporting him even after leaving the project. Talking about Kashyap’s generosity, he said, “Anurag sir has a big heart. »

Soon after leaving Gangs of Wasseypur, Bala’s career took an unexpected turn. Kashyap recommended him to British filmmaker Michael Winterbottom, who was looking for an assistant director for his 2011 film, Trishna. “Michael had emailed Anurag and he asked me if I wanted to work with him,” Bala revealed.

Bala seized the opportunity and his stay on Trishna proved to be a transformative experience. Working with Winterbottom taught him the importance of authenticity and telling his own story, a lesson that deeply influenced his cinematic style.

Today, Vasan Bala is celebrated as one of the most innovative voices in Indian cinema. Reflecting on the incident, it’s clear that his fallout with Kashyap, far from being a setback, was a stepping stone to his successful career as a director.