Society
"If You Want an Apology, Here It Is – But..." — Anurag Kashyap Responds Again Amid Brahmin Comment Controversy
Complaint alleges filmmaker's remarks are offensive, hateful, and promote communal tension.
New Delhi: A complaint has been filed against renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap for allegedly making "objectionable and derogatory" remarks against the Brahmin community. The complaint, filed by one Ujjwal Gaur at the Tilak Marg police station in Delhi, claims that Kashyap's statement is not only "disgusting and indecent," but also incites hatred, disturbs public peace, and fosters communal tension.
The controversy erupted on Wednesday after Kashyap responded to a user on Instagram with a remark about Brahmins that quickly went viral. The comment drew sharp criticism on social media, with many accusing the filmmaker of insulting the Brahmin community. Gaur described the remark as a direct attack on the dignity and self-respect of Brahmins and demanded strict legal action.
In response to the escalating backlash, Anurag Kashyap issued a public apology on Friday. Taking to Instagram, he wrote:
This is my apology — not for the post, but for the one line taken out of context, which has been used to spread hate. No statement or opinion justifies rape threats and death threats to one’s family, friends, or daughters.
Kashyap continued,
What’s been said can’t be taken back — and I won’t take it back. Abuse me all you want, but my family said nothing. So, if you need an apology, here it is. I’ll only say this to Brahmins: spare the women, even your scriptures teach that — not just the Manusmriti.
The issue began when a user made a provocative comment targeting Anurag Kashyap, to which the filmmaker responded with a scathing and sarcastic remark about Brahmins. This response quickly triggered outrage online, especially in the context of his upcoming film ‘Phule’, based on the lives of anti-caste social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule.
Originally scheduled for release on April 11, Phule faced objections from the All India Brahmin Federation and the Parshuram Economic Development Board, resulting in its postponement. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) suggested some changes, which were accepted. The film is now set to release in theatres on April 25.
On April 16, Anurag Kashyap expressed his frustration on Instagram Stories over the CBFC’s censorship decisions and the ongoing debates around caste in India. He wrote:
At the screening of Dhadak 2, the censor board said Modi ji has abolished the caste system in India. Based on that logic, ‘Santosh’ wasn’t released either. Now Brahmins have a problem with ‘Phule’. But brother, if caste doesn’t exist, why are you upset as Brahmins? Who are you? Why are you so triggered? If caste never existed, why did people like Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai exist? Either your Brahminism doesn’t exist — because Modi ji says caste system doesn’t exist — or all of you are just making fools out of everyone. Decide together — does casteism exist in India or not? People aren’t stupid. Are you Brahmins or are your ancestors sitting above? Decide.
Kashyap was clearly taking aim at what he saw as the hypocrisy of denying caste-based discrimination while simultaneously opposing films that highlight it. His remarks also referenced the film Santosh, which allegedly wasn’t released in India due to its caste-related themes.
In addition to commenting on caste, Kashyap questioned the CBFC’s censorship process, especially how external groups gain access to unreleased films. He wrote:
My question is — when a film goes to the censor board, there are only four members. Then how do outside groups and organizations get access to these films unless it’s done deliberately? The whole system is flawed.
He also cited examples of other films like Punjab 95 and Tees, which he claims were blocked because they exposed the “agenda of this casteist, regionalist, and racist government.”
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