Anurag Kashyap issues public apology after his family gets rape and death threats over controversial remark about Brahmin community: 'Brahmin log, auraton ko baksh do'

Filmmaker and actor Anurag Kashyap has issued a public apology on Friday night after his controversial remark about the Brahmin community sparked widespread outrage. The comment was made amid the ongoing Phule controversy, and drew sharp criticism across social media platforms. Taking to Instagram, Kashyap shared a detailed note addressing the backlash and the threats received by his loved ones.
The director, known for his outspoken views, wrote in his apology: "This is my apology, not for my post but for that one line taken out of context and the brewing hatred. No action or speech is worth your daughter, family, friends and colleagues getting rape and death threats from the kingpins of sanskar. So kahi hui baat wapis nahin li ja sakti aur na loonga lekin mujhe jo gaali dena hai do. Mere parivaar ne na kuchh kaha hai na kahta hai. Isliye agar mujhse maafi hi chaahiye to ye meri apology hai. Brahmin log, auraton ko baksh do, itna sanskar to shastron mein bhi hai, sirf manuwaad mein nahin hai. Aap kaun se Brahmin ho tay kar lo. Baaki meri taraf se maafi."
("This is my apology, not for the post but for that one line taken out of context and the hatred it incited. No action or words are worth subjecting your daughter, family, friends, or colleagues to rape and death threats from so-called guardians of culture. What’s said cannot be taken back, and I won’t take it back either. If you want to abuse me, do so. My family has said nothing, nor do they speak for me. So if an apology from me is what’s needed, this is it. Brahmins, please spare the women—this much culture is taught even in scriptures, not just in Manuism. Decide what kind of Brahmin you want to be. The rest—my apology.”)

Earlier that day, Kashyap faced massive backlash for replying to a social media user’s casteist comment with, “I will urinate on Brahmins... any problem?”
Meanwhile, on the work front, the filmmaker cleared the air on rumours suggesting he has quit the film industry, after many believed he had taken a break or moved away from directing. However, he put all speculation to rest. Taking to his X account on Friday, Kashyap shared that he has only changed cities, not careers, and is still very much involved in making films. Kashyap went on to joke that he's even "busier than Shah Rukh Khan" as he has no "free dates until 2028."
"I have relocated cities. I have not left filmmaking. For all the people who think I am frustrated and gone, I am here, and I am busier than Shah Rukh Khan (I have to be; I don't make as much money). I don't have dates until 2028. I have five directorials hopefully coming out this year, or maybe three now, and two early next year. I have the longest IMDb list, and I am so employed that I turn down three projects a day...." read his X post.
Advocate Ashish Rai has also urged the Mumbai Police Commissioner to take action against Anurag Kashyap, following his recent controversial comment about Brahmins, which Rai claims qualifies as hate speech. In his statement, the lawyer referred to a Supreme Court citation, asserting that content like hate speech shared on social media should lead to the filing of an FIR and the state's Suo moto cognisance. Rai said, "Recently, a controversial comment has been made regarding Brahmins, which comes under hate speech. There is a citation from the Supreme Court which states that if any content like hate speech is given by anyone on the social media platform, then definitely an FIR should be filed and the state should take Suo moto cognisance in such a matter...These statements are highly condemnable and action should be taken on this. Keeping this in mind, a complaint has been filed today in the Mumbai Police Commissioner's office, and we demand action on this matter."

Following this, lawyer and political advisor Ashutosh J. Dubey lodged an official complaint with the Mumbai Police, demanding an FIR against the filmmaker. Sharing the news on Twitter, Dubey wrote, “I have officially submitted a complaint to @MumbaiPolice seeking registration of an FIR against @anuragkashyap72 for his derogatory and casteist remark against the Brahmin community… Such hate speech cannot be tolerated in a civil society. The law must take its course.”

The controversy emerged in the wake of Kashyap’s public criticism of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for allegedly delaying clearance of Phule, a biopic directed by Ananth Mahadevan and starring Pratik Gandhi as Jyotirao Phule and Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule. The film is directed by Anant Mahadevan.