Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, who celebrated his 53rd birthday on September 10, 2025, has been candid about his long and difficult health journey. What began as a phase of depression and heavy drinking ultimately led to two heart attacks, asthma complications, and weight gain, before he turned his life around with a structured wellness programme.
Depression, drinking and heart attacks
In a recent interview with Pema Wellness Retreat, Anurag revealed that he had slipped into depression, leaned on alcohol, and eventually suffered two heart attacks. The filmmaker admitted that his health issues left him in a state of confusion, unable to understand why his body was breaking down despite being regular with exercise.“I never understood what had happened to me. I never understood why somebody like me, who is so fit and regular at exercise, I’m doing the same things as I was doing earlier, but why this sudden difference? Why have I suddenly put on weight? Why am I suddenly losing hair? Why did all my hair suddenly turn white?” he said.
Wellness retreat and a holistic approach
Anurag also opened up about his unsuccessful attempts at recovery before finding a breakthrough. He had tried de-addiction programmes and other treatments but found no relief.At the wellness centre, however, doctors put him on a scientifically explained “strict liquid diet” along with therapies and yoga, which he credits for his transformation.“I had a heart attack, and I had a series of asthma attacks, and I was on steroids, and I had totally lost myself. I imploded. I tried a lot of things. I went to de-addiction program, but it didn’t help me… For the first time, I saw a massive difference. I have lost 27 kg since then,” Anurag said.
Discipline, diet and learning to manage stress
The director recalled that he was on a liquid diet for 11 days — a phase he admitted was particularly difficult because of his cravings for solid food. Yet, he persevered.“The yoga teacher, he taught me pranayam. That taught me how to calm down, how to throw away stress. You know all you think about is work and then you think about food and then when you get time to sleep, you sleep, and you don’t focus on other things. It has taught me how to give partial time to things which are important for your own wellbeing,” he added.
