Basil Joseph Opens Up: “I Wasted Two Years on Shaktimaan” – Anurag Kashyap Recalls Bollywood Struggles

Basil Joseph Opens Up About “Wasting Two Years” on Shaktimaan, Anurag Kashyap Recalls Bollywood Struggles

Basil Joseph, the acclaimed actor-director known for his work in films like Minnal Murali and Ponman, recently revealed a challenging chapter in his career — spending two years trying to make the much-anticipated Bollywood adaptation of the iconic superhero TV series Shaktimaan.

The Shaktimaan Saga That Didn’t Take Off

Fans had eagerly awaited Basil’s return to directing after the global success of Minnal Murali (2021). Reports had linked him to Sony Pictures India’s Shaktimaan film, with Ranveer Singh set to play the legendary superhero. Excitement soared, especially after his consistent success as a filmmaker.

However, despite the hype, the project faced numerous hurdles. Mukesh Khanna, the creator and original star of Shaktimaan, publicly questioned the choice of Ranveer Singh. Rumours also swirled about potential replacements, including Allu Arjun, but Basil firmly denied them, insisting that only Ranveer Singh would lead the project. Eventually, the film stalled, leaving Basil reflecting on the lost time.

Anurag Kashyap Recalls Basil’s Struggles

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently shared Basil’s experience during a candid chat on the Chalchitra Talks podcast. He revealed that Basil told him he had “wasted two years” of his life waiting for Shaktimaan to materialize.

“When I met Basil at an award event, I asked him how he managed to juggle so many roles in just two or three years, doing films like Ponman right after directing Minnal Murali,” Kashyap recalled. “Basil told me that he wasted two years trying to do Shaktimaan. He even asked me, ‘God, how do you survive in this industry?’ I replied, ‘I couldn’t. That’s why I moved away.’ He was telling stories about people’s egos while laughing.”

The veteran filmmaker emphasized that these two years represented a significant setback in Basil’s otherwise stellar career, but also showcased his resilience and versatility.

From Assistant to Blockbuster Filmmaker

Basil Joseph began his career as an assistant to Vineeth Sreenivasan before taking small acting roles. His directorial debut, Kunjiramayanam (2015), became a massive hit, followed by Godha (2017) starring Tovino Thomas, which also achieved blockbuster status. Minnal Murali (2021) cemented Basil’s reputation globally as a filmmaker capable of blending local storytelling with universal appeal.

Despite the Shaktimaan setback, Basil has remained active in front of the camera. This year, he starred in Pravinkoodu Shappu, Ponman, and Maranamass, and made a cameo appearance in Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam. He is set to feature in Sudha Kongara’s Tamil film Parasakthi, alongside Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela.

Anurag Kashyap’s Perspective on Bollywood

Anurag Kashyap, who recently moved away from Bollywood, resonated with Basil’s story. He shared how Basil spoke about the egos and challenges he encountered in the industry, questioning how one survives amidst such hurdles. “He said, ‘What kind of industry is this?’ while laughing about the egos. Those were two lost years, but it’s part of the journey,” Kashyap reflected.

Looking Ahead

With the launch of his production house, Basil Joseph Entertainment, the filmmaker has shifted focus to projects where he has creative control. Meanwhile, his versatility as an actor continues to shine, showing audiences that setbacks like Shaktimaan cannot deter his drive or talent.