April 22, 2025: Mumbai, April 22, 2025 — Anurag Kashyap, the filmmaker finds himself at the center of a storm and at the crossroads of art, outrage, and accountability, after comments he made in response to criticism over his upcoming film Phule triggered public backlash and police complaints. The remarks, perceived as derogatory towards the Brahmin community, prompted both legal action and sharp rebukes from fellow industry figures, eventually leading to a public apology by Kashyap on Tuesday.
What started as a protest against censorship spiraled into a firestorm of controversy, with debates over caste, creative freedom, and social sensitivity dominating both headlines and hashtags.
A Moment of Anger, A Torrent of Consequences
The controversy erupted after Kashyap shared social media posts criticizing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and commenting on caste bias related to Phule, his biopic on social reformer Jyotirao Phule. Reacting angrily to a provocative comment — “Brahmins are your father” — Kashyap lashed out with an abusive retort that many deemed casteist.
His words, “Brahmin pe main m*a.. koi problem?” were widely circulated, drawing condemnation and triggering formal complaints in Jaipur, Indore, and Mumbai. FIRs have been registered against him, citing “hurting religious and social sentiments.”
Apology Issued by Anurag Kashyap Amid Firestorm
In a heartfelt Instagram post written in Hindi, Anurag Kashyap apologized:
“In anger, I forgot my limits and ended up insulting an entire community — one that has always been part of my life. I hurt many, including family and respected intellectuals. I apologize deeply and promise to choose my words carefully going forward.”
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir slammed Kashyap publicly on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“If you have less knowledge, control your words. You don’t have enough water in your body to pollute the entire legacy of Brahmins.”
His comments echoed the views of many who felt Kashyap had crossed a line between protest and provocation.
Multiple complaints have been filed:
Jaipur: FIR lodged at Bajaj Nagar PS by Anil Chaturvedi.
Indore: Complaint filed by Anoop Shukla.
Mumbai: Advocate Ashish Rai seeks action from Police Commissioner.
Authorities have initiated investigations into the matter, citing “objectionable comments” that hurt communal sentiments.
While some voices online defended Anurag Kashyap’s frustrations over censorship, many criticized the manner of his expression. The episode has sparked wider conversations on the responsibility of public figures, the sensitivity of caste in discourse, and the risks of unfiltered speech in a hyper-connected world.