New Delhi, 18 June 2026 – Penguin Random House India is delighted to announce the acquisition of a major new book on internationally acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, co-authored by veteran film journalist and editor Naman Ramachandran and Kashyap himself. Emerging from a series of candid and wide-ranging conversations, the book traces the volatile, visionary journey of one of Indian cinema’s most fearless and influential voices. The book, which will be released in 2027 under the Viking imprint of Penguin, was acquired from Jayapriya Vasudevan of Jacaranda Literary Agency.
Using Anurag Kashyap’s work and worldview as a prism through which to examine two decades of India’s social, political, and cultural evolution, the book promises to be both a personal portrait and a wider exploration of contemporary Indian cinema. Structured across four interlocking sections — Anurag the Writer-Director, Anurag the Producer, Anurag the Actor, and Anurag the Personality — it captures the multiplicity of an artist who has consistently challenged convention while shaping the language of new Indian filmmaking.
Commenting on the upcoming book, Naman Ramachandran said, ‘I have known Anurag for decades, and that friendship is both the engine of this book and its greatest challenge. Because I have covered his work for Sight & Sound and Variety over the years, I have always felt an obligation to be honest — and Anurag, to his immense credit, has never asked me to be anything else. We have disagreed, sometimes sharply, and those disagreements are in here too. What I hope Conversations With Anurag Kashyap offers is something rarer than a profile and more intimate than a biography — a portrait of a filmmaker in his own words, built over a friendship long enough and deep enough that there was nothing left to hide.’
Anurag Kashyap added, ‘I think people’s biographies should be written after they are dead. I’m still alive. And as a filmmaker, I still have a lot of potential despite what everybody thinks. And I’ve been saying no to him (Naman). But this man has convinced me, and he has been troubling me for many days, questioning me on everything I’ve done in my life…his questions are painful. He is making me wake up early in the morning and dig into my head to recall things and we are coming out with a book!’
Archana Nathan, Senior Commissioning Editor, Viking, Penguin says, ‘Anurag Kashyap is the perfect subject for a biography not only because he’s supremely interesting himself but also because his journey captures a period in contemporary Indian cinema that was fearless, disruptive, deeply personal, and endlessly influential. And with his vast experience in film journalism, Naman Ramachandran is the perfect interlocutor for a project like this. He is best placed to get all the crackling and insightful bits out of Anurag. This is the kind of book that will resonate equally with cinephiles, readers fascinated by creative lives, and anyone interested in the making of modern cultural icons.’
Milee Ashwarya, Publisher & Group SVP, Adult Publishing Division, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Anurag Kashyap has carved a niche for himself in Indian cinema with his distinctive style, powerful storytelling, and iconic films. Over the years, his films have challenged conventions, pushed creative boundaries, and inspired an entire generation of filmmakers. In this remarkable book, created with Naman Ramachandran, readers will gain an exclusive look into the journey, struggles, creative process, and cinematic vision of one of India’s most influential filmmakers. We are delighted and proud to welcome Anurag Kashyap to Penguin Random House India.’
The book is scheduled for publication in 2027 under the Viking imprint. Blending intimate conversations with larger reflections on filmmaking, culture, politics, and artistic rebellion, the book is set to become an essential document of contemporary Indian cinema and the evolution of a filmmaker who continues to redefine it.
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About Naman Ramachandran
Naman Ramachandran is the Asia editor for Variety. Naman’s work as an author includes “Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography” (Penguin), “Lights, Camera, Masala: Making Movies In Mumbai” (IBH) and chapters in “Rough Guide To Film” (Rough Guides), “Movies: From The Silent Classics Of The Silver Screen To The Digital and 3D Era” (Universe) and “Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of 320 of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars” (Peregrine). He has previously worked with the British Film Institute, Cineuropa, HBO Asia and MTV India. He is a BAFTA member and is based in London.
About Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. Known for landmark films such as Black Friday, Dev.D, Gangs of Wasseypur, Ugly, and Raman Raghav 2.0, his work has continually pushed creative boundaries and inspired an entire generation of filmmakers.
About Penguin Random House India
Penguin Random House India is the country’s leading trade publisher, publishing over 450 new titles every year and managing a diverse backlist of more than 3,500 books. Our publishing spans literary and commercial fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books — from politics, history, memoir, and business to health, self-help, cookery, and culture.
We are home to some of India’s and the world’s most celebrated voices — including winners of the Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Jnanpith Award, and Sahitya Akademi Award. Several of our authors have also been honoured with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, reflecting the influence of their work in literature and public life.
Penguin Random House India also serves as the exclusive distribution partner for several major international and local publishers, bringing books to readers across India and the subcontinent.
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