Anurag Kashyap has misunderstood my statement: Shankar on claims of reel-lifying ‘Game Changer’

Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has misunderstood his statement on making Game Changer with a reel-friendly approach, director Shankar countered while promoting his upcoming Telugu film starring Ram Charan.

Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has misunderstood his statement on making Game Changer with a reel-friendly approach, director Shankar countered while promoting his upcoming Telugu film starring Ram Charan.

Kashyap, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, expressed concerns over Shankar’s purported filmmaking approach, tailored to accommodate impatient viewing habits nurtured by reels. He cited an earlier statement where Shankar claimed to have structured Game Changer keeping the social media generation in mind, that is, viewers with reduced attention spans who cannot invest in a sustained narrative over a length of time.

Speaking to journalists in Chennai, Shankar clarified, “We should convey things quickly and effectively. When we fail to do so, we allow them space to get distracted. The film should be engaging throughout. That’s what I wanted to convey. I didn’t know (Anurag) had said this and it’s shocking. Because it came from a genuine place.”

Shankar’s Telugu debut, Game Changer is a political action thriller starring Ram Charan as an IAS officer. The film stars Kiara Advani as the female lead and Anjali in a pivotal turn.

In reference to Game Changer, Kashyap had told THR India: “I was recently reading this statement by Shankar sir saying, ‘Today’s audience’s (attention) span has become very short. They watch reels. So, we have kept that in mind while doing Game Changer’. I don’t know what that means, and we’ll only know when we see the film.”

In the same interview, Kashyap expressed his disillusionment with the current state of Hindi cinema, saying he is intends to relocate to South India.

Game Changer releases in theatres on January 10.