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Learning Startup Strategy: Lessons from Anurag Kashyap’s Life

Contributors: Bhaskar Thakur
Published: January 20, 2025

Summary

Anurag Kashyap’s journey as a filmmaker mirrors the trajectory of a startup, showcasing lessons in experimentation, finding product-market fit, launching effectively, scaling, and pivoting. From his early days of testing ideas in theatre to creating digital sensations like Sacred Games, Kashyap has consistently adapted to changing mediums while maintaining a balance of local authenticity and global appeal. His story emphasizes the importance of persistence, innovation, and understanding audience needs in achieving success.

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Anurag Kashyap is more than just a filmmaker; he’s a storyteller who disrupted Bollywood the way startups disrupt traditional industries. His journey—full of experimentation, pivots, and scaling—offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs. Let’s explore the strategies behind his success and relate them to key digital revolutions: radio, TV, internet, Google, Facebook, and Instagram.

Experimentation: The Radio Era and Early Struggles

In Kashyap’s formative years, radio dominated as the storytelling medium. His early work in theatre and short stories was like a startup testing its MVP (Minimum Viable Product). For instance, Kashyap’s experiments with raw, real-life characters reflect the simplicity and power of radio.

Startup Lesson:
Experimentation is the foundation of innovation. Like Kashyap tested his storytelling skills with short formats, startups should test ideas through pilots or prototypes before committing to a full-scale launch.

Finding Product-Market Fit (PMF): ‘Black Friday’ and Transition from TV to Film

Kashyap’s Black Friday marked his entry into Bollywood, though its release faced challenges due to censorship. When it finally hit screens, it resonated deeply with audiences, establishing Kashyap’s niche for hard-hitting, realistic narratives.

Startup Lesson:
Understanding your audience and delivering value is key. Just as Kashyap found his audience through Black Friday, startups need to find their PMF by solving real problems for their target market.

Launch: The Internet Era and ‘Dev D’

2009’s Dev D was a turning point. The film’s music became an online sensation, leveraging the growing influence of the internet. Kashyap used this digital momentum to engage directly with his audience, turning a niche product into a cultural phenomenon.

Startup Lesson:
A successful launch requires understanding the medium. Just as Dev D tapped into the internet’s viral potential, startups should craft their launch strategies for maximum visibility—whether through social media, SEO, or influencer partnerships.

Scaling: ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ and Google’s Approach

Gangs of Wasseypur wasn’t just a film; it was a franchise that scaled Kashyap’s storytelling ambitions. By splitting the narrative into two films, Kashyap ensured the story reached a broader audience while maintaining its depth.

Startup Lesson:
Scaling is about thinking big and delivering consistently. Like Google expanded from search to a suite of interconnected products, startups should scale by building ecosystems that enhance user experience.

Pivoting: ‘Sacred Games’ and the Instagram Era

With Sacred Games, Kashyap embraced the OTT platform revolution. This was his pivot from traditional cinema to digital storytelling. The format, pacing, and reach of Sacred Games aligned perfectly with the binge-watching habits of Netflix’s audience.

Startup Lesson:
Adaptability is critical. As market trends shift, startups must be ready to pivot. Kashyap’s move to digital platforms shows how embracing new technologies and consumer behavior can lead to fresh opportunities.

Blending Hindi Culture with Universal Appeal

अनुराग कश्यप की कहानियों में हमेशा लोकल टच और ग्लोबल अपील का सही बैलेंस होता है। चाहे ब्लैक फ्राइडे की सच्चाई हो, या देव डी का मॉडर्न रोमांस—उन्होंने लोकल कल्चर को नए मीडियम्स के साथ जोड़कर खुद को रिलेवेंट बनाए रखा।

Startup Lesson:
Localize your product while ensuring it resonates with a global audience. Just as Kashyap brings Indian stories to the world, startups should aim for cultural relevance combined with universal accessibility.

Conclusion: The Startup DNA in Anurag Kashyap

Anurag Kashyap’s journey offers these core takeaways for startups:

  1. Experiment Boldly: Like testing scripts, test ideas early.
  2. Find PMF: Focus on solving real problems for your target audience.
  3. Master the Launch: Plan your go-to-market strategy meticulously.
  4. Scale Strategically: Build systems and expand thoughtfully.
  5. Pivot Fearlessly: Embrace change and new opportunities.

Kashyap’s life reminds us that whether you’re telling stories or building startups, success comes from persistence, innovation, and staying true to your vision.

About the Author

bhaskar thakoor
Thinker in Chief

Bhaskar Thakur, upGrowth’s Thinker-in-Chief, is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building and scaling businesses in the Internet and Mobile space. Among India’s first wave of digital marketers, he has helped startups acquire customers and grow their reach with innovative strategies and hands-on expertise. With four successful ventures, Bhaskar has a proven track record of turning ideas into thriving businesses.

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