‘He stopped responding’: Anurag Kashyap reveals Nishaanchi was first planned with Sushant Singh Rajput

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is back with his upcoming crime drama Nishaanchi. The director revealed that he had originally planned the film with the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput back in 2016, but the project fell through after the actor signed other films.

Speaking to Galatta Plus, Kashyap said, “Actors have been interested in it but it never hit home with me with anyone. I said I will make it the right way. This was the film that I, at one point, wanted to make with Sushant (Singh Rajput). And then he got two very big films – Dil Bechara and Drive – they were both with Dharma earlier. Then my film was on a back burner. Then he stopped responding, so I moved away. It was announced with him back in 2016.”

Back in 2020, Anurag had alleged that Sushant walked out of Hasee Toh Phasee after being offered a deal by Yash Raj Films. Meanwhile, Nishaanchi marks the acting debut of Aaishvary Thackeray and also stars Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra. The film is slated for theatrical release on September 19.

Meanwhile, Kashyap joined filmmakers Vetrimaaran, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Nag Ashwin, and Raj B Shetty on Saturday to launch the trailer of Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming film Jugnuma. Directed by Raam Reddy, best known for his acclaimed debut Thithi, the film is described as a cinematic spectacle rooted in magical realism. It is presented by Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, alongside Kashyap.

Set in the late 1980s, Jugnuma follows Dev (Bajpayee), who begins to investigate a strange phenomenon of burnt trees across his fruit orchard in the Himalayas. Despite his best efforts, the fires persist, forcing him to confront deeper truths about himself and his family.