Highlights:
- Anurag Kashyap praised the special effects work in Nishaanchi
- He said the VFX execution is “better than Sinners”
- Aaishvary Thackeray plays twin brothers in a double role
- The two parts of the film were shot two months apart
- Kashyap’s next release, Kennedy, premieres on Zee5 on February 20
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has said he is proud of the technical execution in his two-part crime drama Nishaanchi, particularly the visual effects used to portray a double role. Speaking in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Anurag Kashyap discussed the filmmaking process behind Nishaanchi and compared its VFX work to that of the Hollywood film Sinners.
Nishaanchi tells the story of twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo, both played by Aaishvary Thackeray, whose lives intersect against the backdrop of family conflict in Kanpur. The film was released in two parts and required extensive planning to execute the double role convincingly.
Anurag Kashyap on Changing Filmmaking Style
During the conversation, Anurag Kashyap reflected on evolving filmmaking methods, particularly approaches he has observed in other industries.
“Working with other filmmakers, I am seeing this new style of working. It is coming in and it is everywhere in South. They shoot and they edit right there… They shoot a scene a day; they don’t do shots.”
The filmmaker explained that while production styles are shifting, Nishaanchi demanded a more deliberate and technically controlled process. According to Anurag Kashyap, the double role required careful scheduling and coordination between performance and post-production teams.
Anurag Kashyap on Nishaanchi VFX and Double Role Execution
Anurag Kashyap emphasized the complexity involved in presenting two distinct characters played by the same actor. The twin roles were not filmed simultaneously. Instead, the production scheduled the two performances two months apart to maintain character separation and ensure authenticity.
“For me, both parts of Nishaanchi, with special effects, with the actor playing two different kind of a double role- which I am very proud of, what Sylvester and Red Chillies has achieved. I can very proudly say that it is better than Sinners. They are really two different people and we shot two months apart. It was not like change your shirt and come. It was all real.”
His remarks underline the technical planning behind the film. Anurag Kashyap stated that the transformation between the two characters was not cosmetic. The production relied on coordinated VFX work and performance calibration to ensure that the twin brothers appeared distinct on screen.
The filmmaker credited the VFX teams involved, including Sylvester and Red Chillies, for executing the complex sequences. According to Anurag Kashyap, the separation of schedules and detailed post-production work contributed to a realistic portrayal of the two characters.
Anurag Kashyap Compares Nishaanchi With Sinners
Anurag Kashyap compared Nishaanchi to Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler. Sinners features Michael B. Jordan in double roles as twin brothers and received significant recognition internationally.
The Hollywood production made history at the 98th Academy Awards with 16 nominations. Michael B. Jordan also received his first Oscar nomination for his performance in the film.
Despite the global acclaim for Sinners, Anurag Kashyap maintained that the visual effects and character execution in Nishaanchi stand strong in comparison. His statement positions Nishaanchi as a technically ambitious Indian production that sought to match or exceed international standards in double-role filmmaking.
Anurag Kashyap’s remarks reflect confidence in his team’s ability to handle complex VFX-driven storytelling. By separating the shooting schedules by two months, the production avoided quick costume changes or simplified duplication methods, aiming instead for character authenticity.
