Anurag Kashyap faces FIR in Jaipur over caste remarks amid 'Phule' controversy: Reports

Dubai: A police case has been registered against filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in Jaipur, Rajasthan, for allegedly making offensive remarks about the Brahmin community in a social media exchange.

According to an NDTV report, the FIR, filed on Saturday night by Barkat Nagar resident Anil Chaturvedi at Bajaj Nagar police station, accuses the director of using abusive language while defending his upcoming film Phule.

The backlash stems from a comment Kashyap posted while responding to criticism of Phule, a biopic centered on social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule. The remark—interpreted by some as casteist—sparked outrage online and triggered calls for legal action.

As the controversy intensified, the situation took a disturbing turn when Kashyap's daughter, Aaliyah, along with his family and colleagues, received rape and death threats from online trolls.

In response, Kashyap issued a public apology on Instagram. While standing by his views on the film and freedom of expression, he expressed regret over the unintended consequences of a single line taken, he said, out of context.

“This is my apology—not for my post, but for that one line and the hatred it has triggered,” he wrote. “No opinion is worth your daughter, family, friends, and colleagues getting rape and death threats from the so-called gatekeepers of tradition.”

Kashyap has long been a vocal critic of growing intolerance in India. In a previous interview with Gulf News, he noted the increasing difficulty artists face in telling stories that challenge societal norms.

“I stand by my beliefs, but it’s disheartening when my family becomes a target,” he said.

Phule, directed by Ananth Mahadevan, was initially scheduled for release on April 11 but was delayed following objections from certain community groups.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded several edits, including the removal of references to caste. The film is now expected to release on April 25.

Despite the storm, Kashyap remains committed to telling bold, socially relevant stories.

“Audiences are craving genuine narratives that reflect real issues. It’s our responsibility as filmmakers to deliver that,” he added.