Kashyap nervous about screenings

Mumbai:  He has not one, not two, but three films in Cannes and filmmaker with an edge Anurag Kashyap is thrilled that the "dedication and passion" behind works like his are finally being recognised.

"It's good to see how our work is being appreciated. Our dedication and passion are finally being recognised and we are managing to climb the ladder of success gradually," Kashyap, who has made films like Dev D, That Girl in Yellow Boots and Shaitan, told IANS before leaving for the Cannes International Film Festival.

The producer-director is on cloud nine after three of his films, Peddlers and both parts of Gangs of Wasseypur, were selected for screenings at the festival.

"We are quite excited to have three of our films being screened at the prestigious Cannes film fest. We had made Peddlers keeping in mind the international audience, but the choice of Gangs of Wasseypur is just out of the blue. Have not done any preparations but I am a little nervous about what's going to happen," he said.

While Peddlers is a crime thriller, Gangs of Wasseypur is a gritty take on the coal mafia.

Kashyap's films speak a different language — a language recognised as much by the international audience as appreciated by Indian audiences.

A supporter of independent quality cinema, Kashyap believes a better distribution network is key to making niche movies prosper in the country.

Niche market

"I think our distribution system needs to be cracked. Just like multiplexes cater to Hollywood films across the world, it is important to create theatres that cater to niche movies. Then only independent and niche films would prosper," Kashyap told IANS.

The filmmaker has had a tough yet impressive career graph. His directorial debut Black Friday was first banned from being released in theatres and then in 2007, it got a green signal. His Gulaal released in 2009 after a delay of five years and Gangs of Wasseypur was also put on hold for a year.