India, Jan. 3 -- Bombay Velvet was one of the most ambitious films in Anurag Kashyap's career. It had a big budget, a big name in the lead, and a vast canvas. Yet, it bombed at the box office. Director Anurag says that people still tell him his 'downfall' began after that film, and it was because he decided to collaborate with Karan Johar. The filmmaker-turned-actor played the film's antagonist.

In a recent interview with Screen, Anurag reflected on Bombay Velvet and his collaboration with Karan. "People saw me and Karan as rivals, as two different ends of a spectrum. Him doing that film was also kind of disappointing for many people. A lot of those who used to follow my work felt that I had sold out, that I was making a film with a star...