3. Gulaal

Release Date: 2009 | IMDb: 8.0/10 | Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Raj Singh Chaudhary, Piyush Mishra

Gulaal — Kay Kay Menon political drama poster

A ferociously poetic political thriller set in the student politics of Rajasthan. Kashyap and writer Piyush Mishra create a world where idealism curdles into corruption, power into cruelty. Kay Kay Menon delivers a career-best performance as the manipulative Dukey Bana. Mishra's dialogues — especially the monologue on khoon — are among the most quoted in Hindi cinema. The film's haunting score and Mishra's songs Ek Bagal Mein and Husn linger long after the credits roll.

Why watch it: A cult classic that never got the mainstream audience it deserved. Pure, unflinching, unforgettable cinema.

4. Ugly

Release Date: 2013 | IMDb: 7.9/10 | Cast: Rahul Bhat, Ronit Roy, Tejaswini Kolhapure

Ugly — Anurag Kashyap psychological thriller poster

A claustrophobic, nerve-shredding thriller about a missing child and the ugliness it uncovers. When a 10-year-old girl disappears, the investigation rips apart the lives of everyone connected to her — exposing greed, resentment, and moral decay. What starts as a missing-person case spirals into a dark meditation on human nature. Rahul Bhat and Ronit Roy give powerhouse performances, and the film's bleak ending stays with you for days.

Why watch it: If you like your cinema dark, uncomfortable, and deeply affecting — this is Kashyap at his most uncompromising.

5. Black Friday

Release Date: 2004 | IMDb: 8.4/10 | Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Pawan Malhotra, Aditya Srivastav

Black Friday — Kay Kay Menon, 1993 Bombay blasts film poster

A meticulous, devastating reconstruction of the 1993 Bombay serial bomb blasts and their aftermath. Based on Hussain Zaidi's book, the film follows the investigations from the perspective of the police, the conspirators, the victims, and the middlemen. Banned for three years after its completion due to legal battles, it finally released to unanimous critical acclaim. Kay Kay Menon's portrayal of a police officer navigating a city in shock is restrained and heartbreaking.

Why watch it: Essential viewing. A landmark of Indian investigative cinema that holds up as Kashyap's highest-rated film on IMDb.

Bandar — In Theaters Now

Release Date: June 5, 2026 | Director: Anurag Kashyap | Cast: Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra, Raj B. Shetty

Kashyap's latest film hits Indian theaters on June 5, with advance buzz riding high after its premiere at TIFF 2025. Starring Bobby Deol in what is being called a career-defining performance, Bandar follows an aging television star whose fading celebrity takes a devastating turn when he is accused of assault. Written by the team behind Paatal Lok (Sudip Sharma and Abhishek Banerjee), the film promises the kind of intense, character-driven storytelling that Kashyap does best.

Why watch it in theaters: This is the kind of performance-heavy drama that demands the big screen. Book your tickets via magicpin and save on PVR and INOX bookings.

Blogs related to "anurag kashyap"

Top Anurag Kashyap Movies to Watch on OTT - Gangs of Wasseypur to Bandar