Anurag Kashyap reveals OTT platform wanting to turn his original idea into Money Heist: 'I folded my hands and left'

The past two days have been all about Anurag Kashyap making some shocking revelations about the state of affairs in the Hindi film industry, particularly how the art of filmmaking is fading, being replaced by algorithms and trends. The filmmaker, who has been working for over two decades, has delivered some of the most beloved films. In many ways, he also pioneered the streaming space in India alongside Vikramaditya Motwane and Varun Grover when they collectively shaped Sacred Games for Netflix.

Now, in a new and surprising revelation, Kashyap has confirmed that he pitched an original idea to a streaming platform, only for them to suggest transforming it into something similar to Money Heist. Uncomfortable with this approach, he decided to walk away from the conversation.

Anurag Kashyap on Pitching a Show to an OTT Platform

In a recent conversation with The Hindu, Anurag Kashyap spoke about the delayed release of Kennedy and how Zee's financial losses in recent projects have impacted the film’s fate. He revealed that all the executives who initially greenlit the Rahul Bhat-starrer have since moved on from the company, making things even more complicated. 

During this discussion, Kashyap mentioned that he once considered developing Kennedy's central character into a series. This led him to recall another instance where he pitched an original idea to a streaming platform but ended up frustrated by their approach.

Kashyap revealed that the undisclosed platform was highly interested in his concept, but the feedback he received felt “too insecure and algorithm-driven.” He explained, “It was destroying the soul of the show. I was pitching something else, and they wanted to turn it into Money Heist. I folded my hands and left.”

Also read: Sacred Games: Manju Warrier, Nayanthara were the first choice to play RAW agent, reveals Anurag Kashyap

Rahul Bhat on Kennedy's Release

Following the release of Black Warrant, Rahul Bhat joined OTTplay for an exclusive chat, where he addressed the delayed release of Kennedy on the big screen. However, Bhat maintained that he isn’t overly concerned about it as long as he continues working with brilliant filmmakers. "I believe everything in life happens for the best. Kennedy may not have released yet, but I have learned so much from the experience because I was working with a genius like Anurag Kashyap. I always say—let me work with such directors a thousand times, and I don’t care whether the film releases or not,” he said.

Bhat further added, “I have grown immensely as an actor because of Kennedy. When you work with filmmakers like Anurag (Kashyap), Vikram (Vikramaditya Motwane), and many other brilliant directors, it only enhances your craft. I haven’t spent my life immersed in books or classic films—I’ve learned everything through experience. When I first came into the industry, I was a terrible actor. Thank God I didn’t do 50 bad films. Otherwise, what’s the point? You die someday, leaving behind a legacy of 50 forgettable movies. Instead, I’d rather have 5-10 good ones. I feel incredibly grateful that God has given me opportunities to work with great directors and learn from them. And I appreciate that they have been kind enough to let me earn while I learn.”

With Kashyap’s latest revelations sparking industry discussions and Kennedy's release still in limbo, fans are eager to see what the future holds for these projects. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Also read: Empuraan: Mohanlal-Prithviraj Sukumaran film cleared for March 27 release with U/A certificate; runtime revealed