10th Indie Meme Film Festival: Kennedy Sparks Powerful Conversation with Anurag Kashyap

The 10th edition of the Indie Meme Film Festival delivered an unforgettable cinematic experience with the screening of Kennedy, the gripping neo-noir thriller by Anurag Kashyap. Featuring powerhouse performances by Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, the film held the audience in a tense, meditative silence — until it erupted into thunderous applause.

Anurag Kashyap at Indie Meme Film Festival pic credit: Jyoti Charu

A Masterful Dive into Darkness Set against a backdrop of crime, disillusionment, and inner turmoil, Kennedy explores the weight of conscience in a morally decaying system. With its sparse dialogue, haunting imagery, and a protagonist both feared and broken, the film offers a stark, unflinching narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.

A Q&A Full of Insight and Honesty The post-screening conversation with Anurag Kashyap was as compelling as the film itself. When asked about a poignant scene involving a father's moment of reflection, he explained that the dialogue stemmed from deeply personal truths and universal experiences of guilt and distance. The emotional resonance was undeniable — it struck a chord with viewers from diverse walks of life.

When another audience member inquired about the strong female characters in such a male-dominated, chaotic world, Kashyap emphasized his commitment to portraying women with authenticity. “I don’t like misrepresentation,” he said. “Even in a world shaped by patriarchy, the women I’ve known are complex, commanding, and central to the narrative. That’s the kind of representation I strive for.”

Anurag Kashyap at Indie Meme Film Festival

Cinema Without Simplification Kashyap also touched on the broader responsibility of storytelling. His films often resist easy categorization, instead embracing contradiction, ambiguity, and complexity. “Life isn’t black and white,” he noted. “So why should our characters be?”

An Evening to Remember The event wrapped up with enthusiastic applause, not just for the film but for the thoughtful discussion it inspired. Anurag Kashyap’s presence, marked by humor, depth, and a fearless take on contemporary issues, made this screening one of the highlights of the festival.

With Kennedy, the 10th Indie Meme Film Festival didn’t just present a film — it opened a space for introspection, dialogue, and powerful cinematic exchange.

Conversation documentation credit: Jyoti Singh Charu