I am not depressed or hiding: Anurag Kashyap

Mumbai: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap today addressed the criticism regarding his latest release 'Bombay Velvet', saying he is not depressed by the lukewarm response to the ambitious project. The Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma-starrer period drama, which hit theatres this Friday, had a bad start at the box-office and has been slammed by certain sections in Bollywood.

"It's time to close the book and move on. It has been a journey, as if one life is over with 'Bombay Velvet'. A lot of people do not connect with it and a small number of people did... Maybe our experimenting with the narrative didn't work for most but I firmly believe in the film."

"I am very happy that all those who have been part of this journey firmly stand with it. No I am not depressed or hiding, this has taught us a lot and is my absolute personal favourite, there have been no regrets whatsoever," Kashyap, 42, wrote on Facebook.

Without giving out much details about his next move, the 'Gangs of Wasseypur' helmer said he will continue making movies as "films is what I breathe, what I live for, does not matter where I go and where I stay, I will only make films."

"...No I am not done with making films in and about my country, rest is just a little detour. None of you need to worry about me, we have survived so much, have been standing 22 years in the face of adversity and rejection, and I am still free with my choices," he said.

Kashyap said 'Bombay Velvet' was worth the risk and "the applause or brickbats" do not matter. The director assured he will go on reinventing and will be back for sure. "It's us who go out there and risk it, it's us who choose not to take the easy route, it's us who stand tall when they let the lions loose on us, we are and will be the gladiators, let's just keep playing the sport... Let's continue reinventing, let's give everything our best, and like Schwarznegger said, I WILL BE BACK..," he added.