Writer of Anurag Kashyap's biggest hit, 'Gangs of Wasseypur,' reveals shocking amount he was paid: 'Was promised to get paid for the sequel, but…'

Although actors breathe life into the characters, the backbone of any film rests in the hands of the writers, and it all begins with the screenplay. However, despite coming up with stories that go on to make box-office history as films or gain high ratings as web series, writers continue to be one of the most overlooked and underpaid demographics in showbiz.

In a chat with Siddharth Kannan, Zeishan Qadri, who penned the popular and critically acclaimed film Gangs of Wasseypur, revealed he received just Rs 5 lakh for the first film, and he didn’t get paid for the sequel.

He explained that while he had been promised separate compensation for the second part, the agreement fell through when the original production house, UTV, withdrew its financial support merely a week before shooting began. With funding gone, the team was left scrambling to complete the project on a shoestring budget.

When Viacom later stepped in to back the film, the makers were already aware that they had to operate under tight financial constraints. Despite the setback, Qadri chose not to dwell on the lost payment. For him, seeing Gangs of Wasseypur come to life mattered more than the paycheck. He shared that everyone involved—cast and crew alike—accepted minimal payment, united by their passion for the project rather than profit.

He reminisced about the conditions during filming, describing a level of simplicity that contrasted sharply with the usual Bollywood standards. There was only one vanity van for the entire crew, and most team members stayed in a modest lodge. Qadri recalled how basic amenities were scarce, with water available only for a couple of hours early in the morning. Comparing it to more comfortable shooting environments, he laughed about how people complain about small inconveniences, while during Wasseypur, they managed with far less.

Released in 2012, Gangs of Wasseypur became a landmark in Indian cinema. Directed by Anurag Kashyap and co-written by Kashyap and Qadri, the film delved deep into the coal mafia of Dhanbad, tracing the tangled web of vengeance, politics, and power that spanned from the 1940s to the 1990s.

Featuring an ensemble cast that included Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadha, and Pankaj Tripathi, the film’s raw realism and storytelling brilliance earned it widespread critical acclaim. It went on to secure several awards and nominations, including nods for Best Film and Best Director at the 55th Asia-Pacific Film Festival—cementing its place as one of India’s most influential cinematic achievements.

The movie emerged as a decent hit at the box-office, earning Rs 35 crore.