Anurag Kashyap says studio wanted Nawazuddin Siddiqui replaced with a bigger star in Gangs of Wasseypur, 'I left my fees for the film'

Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur has gone down in history as one of Hindi cinema’s most defining cult films, but the journey to get it made was anything but smooth. The filmmaker recently revealed that the production house originally backing the project, UTV, dropped out just three days before the shoot began — all because they didn’t believe Nawazuddin Siddiqui could pull off the lead role of Faizal Khan.

‘They said how will Nawaz play this role’

In a recent interview with Game Changers, Anurag Kashyap recalled, “I left my fees for the film. UTV was producing that film, and they said, how will Nawaz play this role? They asked me to bring a big star. They left the film three days before the shooting began. My whole crew, actors were waiting for me.”For Nawazuddin, Gangs of Wasseypur became the film that changed everything — transforming him from a character actor into a leading man.

Sunil Bora and Viacom to the rescue

Kashyap credited co-producer Sunil Bora for stepping in at a crucial moment and saving the film. “At that time, co-producer Sunil Bora spoke to Viacom, and within two days this new studio came in and told us to make the film,” he shared.To show his conviction, Kashyap gave up his own remuneration. “For the sake of conviction, I said that I will leave my fees, but I am vouching for Nawaz,” he added.

Casting Pankaj Tripathi: ‘I made a vegetarian play a butcher’

The filmmaker also shared how Pankaj Tripathi came on board to play Sultan Qureshi, the menacing butcher in the film.

“For Pankaj Tripathi’s role, we were thinking of casting Pankaj Jha, but he had gone to Pune. I had seen Tripathi’s work, but he is a very soft man in real life, though his eyes are dangerous. I made a vegetarian play the role of a butcher,” Anurag revealed with a laugh.Kashyap further said that the process was entirely new for the actor. “Pankaj himself was very uncomfortable with it. Plus, my process was very new to him. He didn’t know what his role was and how it was shaping up.

So, he was confused about what he’s doing. But he gave an excellent performance.”What started with production chaos went on to become a cinematic revolution — redefining storytelling and launching the careers of several powerhouse actors including Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, and Rajkummar Rao.