🎬 Karan Anshuman on Streaming Success, Cinema’s Predictability & the Rise of Hyperreal Storytelling

🔥 A Journey That Redefined Direction

Karan Anshuman's directorial debut Bangistan (2015), despite having big names like Riteish Deshmukh and Pulkit Samrat, didn't make waves at the box office. But it marked the beginning of a career that would later flourish on a different platform — streaming.

Not long after, producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani entrusted Anshuman with the responsibility of creating Prime Video India's first-ever original series, Inside Edge. The result? A gripping drama that took Indian audiences by storm, and solidified his place as a storyteller who understands the streaming landscape like few others.

📺 Streaming: A Space for Disruption and Reinvention

With three successful seasons of Inside Edge and Mirzapur, and the explosive rise of Rana Naidu on Netflix, Anshuman has maintained a 100% success rate on streaming platforms — a rare feat in any entertainment industry.

In a candid interview, Anshuman shared his views on how cinema can learn from streaming:

“I do feel films have become predictable in their form… There’s a legacy which streaming was unshackled by when it started.”

He points out that the thrill of unpredictability — the element that keeps audiences guessing — is often missing in today’s theatrical films. Streaming, on the other hand, has created room for bold narratives, complex characters, and hyperreal worlds that mirror real life while pushing creative boundaries.

🎭 Building Worlds That Feel Real (But Aren’t Quite)

Anshuman’s creative process is deeply immersive. He begins with research — diving into the world he wants to portray — then slowly builds characters, plots, and conflicts that resonate with emotional and cultural authenticity.

“There’s a certain rhythm to it that makes it real. You just got to have the ear… Then you make it hyperreal.”

His knack for balancing authenticity with cinematic excess — like brutal shootouts or eye-stabbing confrontations — gives his shows a unique edge. Whether it's the gritty politics of Mirzapur, the underbelly of cricket in Inside Edge, or the murky morality of Rana Naidu, his narratives blend realism with larger-than-life drama.

🎬 What’s Next: Glory and Beyond

Anshuman is now directing Glory, another promising Netflix series. He hints that it too will be rooted, intense, and entirely new in its narrative structure. With Rana Naidu Season 2 also on the horizon, his plate is full — and so is the excitement of his growing fanbase.