Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap’s daughter, Aaliyah Kashyap, has made headlines after openly criticizing audiences for not supporting meaningful films at the box office. In a strongly worded Instagram post, she expressed her frustration with the gap between what viewers claim to want and what they actually watch in theatres.
“Praise Comes Too Late,” Says Aaliyah Kashyap
Aaliyah pointed out that some of the most critically acclaimed Bollywood films—such as Udaan, Lootera, Lunchbox, Masaan, and October—were box office disappointments when they first released. Despite being praised globally, these films struggled to find audiences in India.
“And why is it that all these films are internationally acclaimed & appreciated but not by their own country? Only years later do people start calling them masterpieces,” she wrote.
She highlighted the struggles of filmmakers who risk everything to create such projects, but receive appreciation only years later when it no longer helps their careers or encourages the industry to make similar films.
Audiences Say They Want ‘Good Cinema’, But Don’t Show Up
In another statement, Aaliyah Kashyap slammed the hypocrisy of audiences. “People constantly say they want ‘good cinema,’ but when good films actually release, hardly anyone goes to the theatre,” she said.
She mentioned how movies often become “cult classics” or “hidden gems” only after years of neglect. This trend, according to her, discourages filmmakers from taking creative risks and makes it harder for meaningful Bollywood films to get made.
Promoting Anurag Kashyap’s Upcoming Film Nishaanchi
Backing her father’s latest project, Aaliyah urged audiences to support Anurag Kashyap’s upcoming movie Nishaanchi, releasing on September 19, 2025.
“My dad’s new film Nishaanchi comes out on September 19th, and I’ve seen firsthand the amount of love, work, and heart everyone involved has poured into it. If we really want good, impactful and meaningful cinema, we can’t just appreciate it in hindsight,” she wrote.
A Call for Immediate Support of Good Cinema
Concluding her message, Aaliyah emphasized the need for audiences to support impactful films at the time of release. “Great cinema doesn’t get better with time, it deserves to be seen NOW,” she stressed.
Her remarks have sparked widespread debate online, with many agreeing that Bollywood’s best films often go unnoticed during their theatrical run. With Nishaanchi set to hit cinemas soon, Aaliyah’s passionate plea may encourage moviegoers to back meaningful cinema when it matters most.
