Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has been named Jury President for the 2026 Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest), adding another international honor to a career that has helped redefine contemporary Indian cinema. Alongside leading the festival’s main competition jury, Kashyap will also conduct a masterclass titled “Unfiltered Realism,” offering audiences a closer look at the filmmaking philosophy that has shaped some of his most acclaimed works.
Yet despite more than two decades behind the camera, Kashyap says he is far from believing he has mastered the craft. Speaking during the festival, the filmmaker described himself as someone who is still “searching for a new cinematic language,” stressing that curiosity—not certainty—continues to drive his creative process.
Rather than viewing his role at MIFFest as an opportunity to impart wisdom, Kashyap said he sees the festival as a place to learn. He believes film festivals remain among the few spaces where filmmakers can immerse themselves in unfamiliar storytelling traditions, discover emerging voices, and challenge their own creative instincts. For him, watching films from different countries and engaging with younger filmmakers is just as important as judging the competition.
That outlook also shapes the way he approaches cinema itself. Kashyap argued that filmmakers risk becoming repetitive if they rely too heavily on past successes, adding that genuine artistic growth comes from remaining open to new ideas and constantly questioning one’s own methods. Experience, he suggested, should encourage exploration rather than certainty.
His masterclass, “Unfiltered Realism,” reflects the same philosophy. Over the course of his career, Kashyap has become known for stories rooted in authenticity, morally complex characters, and grounded performances. From Black Friday and Dev.D to Gangs of Wasseypur, Ugly, and Raman Raghav 2.0, his films have consistently challenged conventional storytelling while embracing emotional honesty over spectacle.
Kashyap’s appearance at MIFFest also comes following the release of Bandar, his latest directorial feature, which marked his return behind the camera. The film, inspired by real events, continues his long-standing interest in politically and socially charged narratives that examine power, justice, and institutional systems.
The filmmaker also spoke about his growing interest in collaborating beyond India, noting that cinema has become increasingly global. He believes that working across cultures and engaging with different filmmaking traditions offers opportunities to discover fresh perspectives and new forms of storytelling, reinforcing his conviction that cinema should continue evolving rather than repeating established formulas.
Kashyap’s appointment as Jury President underscores MIFFest’s growing stature as one of Asia’s leading film festivals, bringing together established auteurs and emerging voices from across the region and beyond. For the festival, his presence represents the experience of one of India’s most influential independent filmmakers; for Kashyap, however, it is another opportunity to listen, observe, and continue learning.
As he takes on one of the festival’s most prominent roles, Kashyap’s message remains strikingly humble. Even after building one of the most distinctive bodies of work in Indian cinema, he believes the search for a new cinematic language never truly ends—and that curiosity remains a filmmaker’s greatest creative asset.
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