‘Beyond the Lens: The Anurag Kashyap Edition’ will be a three-day celebration featuring the maverick filmmaker’s first masterclass, fireside chat and a media roundtable
Cinephiles and storytellers in Dubai are in for a rare cinematic treat this month as renowned Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap brings his distinct brand of raw, fearless on-screen storytelling to the city. The celebrated director will headline a three-day event, ‘Beyond the Lens: The Anurag Kashyap Edition,’ organized by SAANJH, Dubai’s first and only curated platform dedicated to promoting South Asian pop culture, storytelling and cinema. This will be the first of many initiatives featuring well-known names including actors, directors and technicians from the South Asian artistic landscape.
To be held from November 21 to 23, the festival promises an immersive journey into the art and craft of high-concept filmmaking through a screening, interactive chat sessions and in-depth conversations.
Audiences can watch a special screening of Kashyap’s acclaimed neo-noir thriller Kennedy, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, presented in association with Cinema Akil as part of ‘Mitti’, the Indian independent film festival. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, the film received a seven-minute standing ovation and it even earned Kashyap and Bhat nominations for Best Director and Best Actor at the New York Indian Film Festival earlier this year.
The highlight of the weekend is an exclusive masterclass at Cinema Akil titled ‘Constructing Chaos,’ where Kashyap – best known for cult films like Black Friday, Dev.D, Gangs of Wasseypur and Gulaal – will decode his creative process and share tips for aspiring filmmakers, script writers and cinema enthusiasts.
The event will further feature an insightful fireside chat with Kashyap at Cinema Akil, offering fans an opportunity to engage with one of Indian cinema’s most maverick voices, as well as a media roundtable exploring the intricacies and dynamics of independent storytelling in South Asia.
A key moment during the festival will be the launch of SAANJH: The Director’s Series, a new cultural IP dedicated to bringing iconic South Asian filmmakers and artists to Dubai, not just to showcase their work, but to share their creative worlds in a thoughtful, immersive format.
Founded by Emirati couple Bader and Sukaina, SAANJH brings together artists, filmmakers, writers and audiences who share a deep love for stories across borders, genres and generations. The objective is to create a common platform for cinema and pop culture enthusiasts in Dubai to connect, collaborate and celebrate the art of storytelling in all its forms. Through curated screenings, panel discussions, workshops and community events, SAANJH aims to foster meaningful dialogue and nurture a vibrant creative ecosystem that reflects Dubai’s dynamic, multicultural spirit.
Anurag Kashyap’s presence and engagement with Dubai’s creative community signals an important moment for South Asian pop culture in the region. It is a recognition of its global influence, creative depth and power to connect audiences beyond borders. For fans, it represents an exceptional opportunity to interact with one of modern cinema’s most fearless voices and celebrate the stories that shape our times.
The programme schedule is as follows:
Friday, November 21: Screening of ‘Kennedy’ at Cinema Akil, Al Serkal Avenue
Saturday, November 22: Masterclass, ‘Constructing Chaos’ with Anurag Kashyap at Cinema Akil, Al Serkal Avenue. Tickets available on Platinumlist.
Saturday, November 22: Media Roundtable with Anurag Kashyap and Rahul Bhat
Sunday, November 23: Fireside Chat with Anurag Kashyap at Cinema Akil, 25 Hours Hotel. Tickets available on Platinumlist.