Anurag Kashyap and Manju Warrier’s long-delayed collaboration back on track

Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has shared intriguing details about the casting process for Sacred Games, revealing that he initially approached Malayalam film star Manju Warrier for the role of RAW agent Kusum Devi Yadav. Known for her exceptional performances in films like Rani Padmini, Ennum Eppozhum and Odiyan, Warrier was initially considered for a key role in the critically acclaimed Netflix series. Kashyap also suggested Tamil star Nayanthara for the part while collaborating with the streaming platform.
Despite these efforts, the role ultimately went to Amruta Subhash in the second season of Sacred Games, which premiered in 2019.
Kashyap discussed the behind-the-scenes process during a recent roundtable interview, where he mentioned that the casting team was initially considering various actors for the role. “We were trying to get Manju Warrier for Amrita Subhash’s role. We were auditioning for Sacred Games and gave Netflix three options—her, Nayanthara and one more person,” he revealed. Kashyap also explained the logistical challenges of working with Netflix at the time, particularly because the streaming giant didn’t yet have an office in India. “At that time, Netflix didn’t have an India office. Everything was going to the US and OTTs weren’t looking at the South market. Their choices were mostly driven by algorithms to attract subscribers from Maharashtra or other regions,” he said.
Kashyap and Warrier share a special bond, dating back to their first meeting between 2011 and 2013, where they connected through mutual friends, including Moothon director Geetu Mohandas and cinematographer Rajeev Ravi. Kashyap also shared an interesting personal fact: he and Warrier share the same birthday, further cementing their connection.
Footage, directed by debutant Saiju Sreedharan, tells the story of Vishak and Gayatri, a couple known for their mysterious YouTube vlogs. Trapped indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic, they become intrigued by the strange story of their maid’s mute employer who resides in the same complex. With a gripping plot and fresh storytelling, Footage marks a major step in Malayalam cinema’s exploration of cross-linguistic markets.
As an avid fan of South Indian films, Kashyap made sure that Footage was treated with the same level of respect as a Hindi film during its post-production. He mentioned that he insisted the film not be dubbed in the usual rushed, poor-quality manner. “I reached out to a dubbing agency and told them to treat it like a Hindi film, not just a Malayalam film dubbed into Hindi,” he said. Kashyap’s passion for quality translation underscores his belief in the importance of accurate, high-quality dubbing for films from diverse languages. He also emphasised his distaste for poorly dubbed films, citing Maharaja as an example of a poor dubbing experience that hindered his enjoyment of the film.
Meanwhile, during the roundtable interview, Warrier spoke candidly about her wish to work in Hindi cinema under the direction of Anurag Kashyap. “I am really looking forward to working in Hindi with Anurag sir. It depends on Anurag sir. If he does a film with me… I have to wait for it,” she said, highlighting her admiration for the filmmaker and her excitement about the prospect of a future collaboration.
Warrier’s connection with Kashyap has already begun with Footage, a found-footage genre thriller directed by debutant Saiju Sreedharan. Kashyap came on board as the presenter for the Hindi version of the film, which is set to explore the eerie world of a couple who, during the pandemic, uncover unsettling truths about their neighbor’s silent, mysterious life. Warrier expressed her gratitude to Kashyap for his involvement with the project, saying it was an honor to have him lend his expertise to the film.
In addition to her anticipation for a Hindi film collaboration with Kashyap, Warrier also reflected on an unfinished project she was working on during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was shooting a film alongside actor Madhavan, but the production was disrupted when Madhavan contracted COVID-19. “We shot half of the film, but then it was during COVID. I was working on a film with Madhavan, and we had to wrap the shoot when Madhavan got COVID. Later, he was busy with post-production and the release of Rocketry, so we couldn’t finish the shoot of the film,” Warrier explained. She added that, due to various reasons, the shoot could not be resumed after that.