Anurag Kashyap Declares ‘Nishaanchi’ Is Not Another Gangs of Wasseypur

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who changed the face of Indian cinema with his cult hit Gangs of Wasseypur, is making it very clear—his upcoming movie Nishaanchi is not, in any way, a continuation of his gangster epic. In fact, Kashyap mocked the comparisons, saying the difference between the two films is like the difference between Kanpur and Lucknow—close geographically, but worlds apart in essence.

From Outsider’s Tale to Insider’s Voice

Kashyap explained that while Wasseypur was based on stories he had only heard, Nishaanchi comes directly from his personal memories of growing up in Kanpur and Lucknow. He described the project as deeply connected to his own cultural upbringing, language, humor, and quirks of North India. Unlike the violent, mafia-driven narrative of Wasseypur, this new film is rooted in emotion and identity, though it still promises high drama.

This, Kashyap insists, is his most personal work yet—an insider’s story rather than a retelling of someone else’s saga.

A Salim-Javed Style Masala Drama

What sets Nishaanchi apart from Kashyap’s earlier works is its unapologetic embrace of Bollywood-style drama. The filmmaker revealed that the film is in a “full-blown Salim-Javed zone”, echoing the legendary screenwriting duo who gave Hindi cinema some of its most iconic masala entertainers.

Shot over an elaborate 69-day schedule, Kashyap has crafted a narrative that mixes emotional highs with larger-than-life drama. Unlike his earlier indie-style films, Nishaanchi aims to capture both the mass audience and his loyal niche fanbase.

Aaishvary Thackeray’s Double Role Sparks Buzz

The spotlight is also on Aaishvary Thackeray, who makes his Bollywood debut in a challenging double role as twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo. Their conflict forms the heart of the story, setting the stage for action, emotion, and drama.

The film also stars Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra, all of whom add depth to this power-packed narrative. Backed by Jar Pictures and Flip Films, with distribution handled by Amazon MGM Studios, the film is scheduled to hit theaters on September 19, 2025.

Marketing the Difference—Or Hiding a Similarity?

While Kashyap is aggressively distancing Nishaanchi from Wasseypur, critics argue that the comparison is inevitable. Both films dive into the Hindi heartland, both deal with larger-than-life characters, and both are driven by Kashyap’s gritty style. Is Kashyap truly reinventing himself, or is he simply repackaging familiar territory with more masala and emotional pull?

This debate has already divided cinephiles. Some welcome the shift, saying Kashyap is finally bridging the gap between art cinema and mainstream Bollywood. Others accuse him of playing safe, using the same backdrop but marketing it as “different” just to avoid typecasting.

Conclusion

Anurag Kashyap’s Nishaanchi is not just another movie—it’s a statement. By rejecting comparisons with Gangs of Wasseypur, he’s challenging the audience to see him as more than the filmmaker who made Indian gangster sagas cool. Whether Nishaanchi proves to be a refreshing reinvention or just a cleverly disguised repeat remains to be seen. One thing is certain—Kashyap has once again stirred up a conversation even before the film’s release.