The movie, Anurag's contemporary take on India's most notorious serial killer, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, screened in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar at Cannes today.
For Kaushal, working with Kashyap and Siddiqui on this project has been like completing a circle as he started his career on "Gangs of Wasseypur" as an assistant director.
"It did take a toll on my personal life... This part was polar opposite to me. It was very demanding to get under his skin, he is poisoned from within and has destroyed himself but it is also his mode of coping," Kaushal told PTI in an interview before leaving for Cannes.
Kaushal, who turned 28 today, said his family understood his need for isolation and kept out of his way as he struggled with sleep deprivation and exhaustion for days while shooting for the movie.
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"One of the reasons you love this profession is because you can do something that is beyond the realm of your usual reality. Having the opportunity to see things from someone else's perspective is also the most satisfying aspect of being an actor. And I could search something within me with this movie," he said.
"Anurag sir told me that he was making a movie about a serial killer and a cop and he was considering me for the role of the cop but there were other names. After preparing for five days, I gave the audition.
The "Masaan" star said it was quite a learning curve to
be on Kashyap's movie set as the director's approach towards his actors is very protective.
"He gives you freedom as a performer while also giving you the clarity as a director to understand the part. He is always incorporating new ideas so you can't have a fixed notion about your part," Kaushal said while discussing Kashyap's process.
The young actor has a similar experience to share about his co-star in the movie, Siddiqui. As an assistant director on "Gangs of Wasseypur", Kaushal had a chance to observe Siddiqui just before he became famous. The actor says "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star has not changed at all despite the fame.
"Raman Raghav 2.0" will release in India on June 24.