Anurag Kashyap made an impressive entry into Malayalam cinema with the film Rifle Club, directed by Aashiq Abu, which premiered in theaters on December 19, 2024. In a recent discussion, Kashyap expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Aashiq Abu and a remarkable ensemble cast, while also commending the quality of Malayalam films. The renowned filmmaker-turned-actor acknowledged that he had previously missed two significant opportunities in the Malayalam film industry before finally debuting with Rifle Club.

Anurag Kashyap missed acclaimed Malayalam films

In an interview with The Gulf News, Kashyap reflected on his long-awaited opportunity to act in a Malayalam production. He revealed that he had previously turned down roles in Rajeev Ravi's Thuramukham and Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jallikattu.

"One was Thuramukham, directed by Rajeev Ravi. He offered me the role and patiently awaited my decision to portray Nivin Pauly's father, a role ultimately played by Joju George. Then there was Jallikattu, where Lijo wanted me to take on the role of the hunter. They had more faith in my abilities than I did, which made me apprehensive. However, this time I felt more assured and decided to reach out," Kashyap shared during the interview.

The film features Nivin Pauly in the lead role, alongside Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, and Arjun Ashokan.

Conversely, Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jallikattu, starring Antony Varghese and Chemban Vinod Jose, was chosen as India's official submission for the Oscars.

Anurag Kashyap on getting cast in Rifle Club

During the interview, Anurag Kashyap mentioned that he was the one who initially contacted the producers of Rifle Club after seeing the announcement on Instagram.

"I came across the announcement about the film and reached out on Instagram, inquiring if they would consider an actor from the north. They responded positively, and I expressed my interest in the role without even knowing the film's premise. The title Rifle Club intrigued me," he stated, expressing his confidence in Aashiq Abu and writer Syam Pushkaran.

Anurag Kashyap portrayed an arms dealer in the action thriller, which featured a diverse ensemble cast that included Vijayaraghavan, Dileesh Pothan, Vani Viswanath, Surabhi Lakshmi, Darshana Rajendran, and rapper Hanumankind.

This thriller film also represented the Malayalam acting debut for both Hanumankind and Anurag Kashyap. The director was recently seen in the Tamil film Maharaja, which starred Vijay Sethupathi in the leading role.

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