Gangs Of Wasseypur’s untold tale: Anurag Kashyap made vegetarian Pankaj Tripathi play a butcher

When Gangs of Wasseypur exploded onto the scene in 2012, it wasn’t just another gangster film- it became a phenomenon that changed Hindi cinema’s rules. With its raw storytelling, sprawling narrative across two parts, and a cast filled not with established superstars but rising talent, the film reinvented the gangster genre in India. It marked a milestone for actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Pankaj Tripathi, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi and Rajkummar Rao- each of whom walked away with new visibility and credibility.

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Casting Risks and a 'Vegetarian' Butcher 

During a recent Game Changers interview, the film’s creator, Anurag Kashyap, pulled no punches when talking about the casting of Pankaj Tripathi.

“For Pankaj Tripathi’s role, we were thinking of casting Pankaj Jha, but he had gone to Pune. I had seen Tripathi’s work, but he is a very soft man in real life, though his eyes are dangerous. I made a vegetarian play the role of a butcher,” he revealed with a laugh.

Tripathi himself reportedly felt uneasy in the role.

“Pankaj himself was very uncomfortable with it. Plus, my process was very new to him. He didn’t know what his role was and how it was shaping up. So, he was confused about what he’s doing. But he gave an excellent performance,” Kashyap added. 

From Underdog Actors to Breakout Stars

What started with production chaos - studios backing out days before filming, budget constraints, uncertainty around key actors - ended up becoming a cinematic revolution. The film’s impact on its cast was dramatic: Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of Sultan Qureshi gave him nationwide recognition, and the actor recalled how even real-life gangsters began approaching him, seeing his on-screen persona as idol-worthy.

Richa Chadha credits her role as Nagma Khatoon for helping her land multiple roles soon after. The ensemble structure, gritty setting, naturalistic performances and the willingness to subvert mainstream formulas gave the film lasting cult status.

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A Game Changer

Beyond launching careers, Gangs Of Wasseypur proved that films made on modest budgets with lesser-known actors could break out and reshape cinema. It challenged the idea that only big stars or glossy productions mattered. It showed audiences were ready for authenticity, complexity, ensemble characters and regional flavour.