As Anurag Basu’s ‘Gangster’ completes 20 years, the director has opened up some old memories that feel more like behind-the-scenes gossip than a polished film history lesson.
The romantic crime thriller, which later became a cult favourite, still holds a strong fan base. But what many don’t know is how chaotic, uncertain, and deeply personal its making really was; from finding its lead actress to shooting under extreme health stress.
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“I had a clear image of her”: How Kangana Ranaut was cast
Anurag Basu has now revealed that Kangana Ranaut was not just one of many options for ‘Gangster’, she was almost exactly the face he had already imagined in his head.
Speaking in a Variety India interview, he shared that he was searching widely, meeting several actresses, but nothing felt right.
He explained that he was looking for a “pahadan,” a girl from the mountains, and that mental image stayed fixed in his mind. When he finally met Kangana, things clicked instantly, but he didn’t rush the decision. He first auditioned her and asked her to wait for five to six days while he continued searching.
Even after meeting multiple girls during that time, he couldn’t find anyone better suited. That’s when he finally confirmed Kangana for the role, marking her entry into a film that would later become a turning point in her career opposite Emraan Hashmi.
The hidden struggle: shooting ‘Gangster’ during chemotherapy
While the casting story sounds intense, what happened during filming was even more difficult. Basu revealed that he was undergoing chemotherapy when the film was supposed to begin production. Many people around him advised him to delay the shoot until he recovered.
But he made a different choice. According to him, the only way he could mentally deal with the treatment was by getting on set. He was “desperate” to start filming, even in that condition.
Because of limited funds, the team travelled with a very small crew. There was no luxury on set. Just survival and filmmaking. The director shared that they literally managed everything themselves. Kangana Ranaut would cut onions, while Basu himself cooked dal. After eating together, the team would go straight to shoot.
Released as a romantic crime thriller, ‘Gangster’ was directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Mahesh Bhatt. The film featured Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, and Shiney Ahuja in key roles.