'Phule' Row: Anurag Kashyap Apologises to Brahmin Community

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap recently found himself at the centre of a heated national controversy following a caste-related remark that sparked widespread outrage, legal action and a storm on social media. The incident has reignited discussions around the boundaries of free speech, responsible public discourse and the deeply entrenched sensitivities surrounding caste in India.

The controversy began when Kashyap, known for his politically charged narratives, responded to an online user with an offensive remark perceived to target the Brahmin community. His statement — made during an exchange regarding the upcoming film Phule, based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule — was widely criticised for being casteist and inflammatory. Amid the backlash, Kashyap issued a public apology, admitting that he had "forgotten [his] limits in anger" and unintentionally hurt the community. He clarified that his outburst was directed at a specific user who had insulted him, and not at Brahmins at large.

In his apology, the Gangs of Wasseypur director expressed regret for generalising an entire community, many of whom, he acknowledged, had played significant roles in his personal and professional life. He vowed to work on managing his anger and to choose his words more thoughtfully when engaging in future debates on social issues. He said in an Instagram post, "In anger, I forgot my limits while replying to someone. I spoke badly about the entire Brahmin community. That community, whose many people have been in my life, is still there and contributes a lot. Today, they are hurt by me. My family is hurt by me. Many intellectuals, whom I respect, are hurt by my anger and the way I spoke."

However, the apology came only after considerable pressure, including public criticism from political leaders like Union Minister Satish Chandra Dubey, who called him a "vile scumbag" and demanded a public retraction. A police case was subsequently filed against Kashyap in Varanasi under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 67 of the IT Act, underscoring the legal risks public figures face in a polarised environment.

A reflection of the volatile intersection of caste, identity politics and expression in a contemporary India, the discourse surrounding Phule itself has become contentious, with Brahmin organisations objecting to its portrayal of caste hierarchy and the Censor Board intervening to impose cuts.

Kashyap’s case is a cautionary tale about the double-edged nature of digital expression and the deep fault lines of caste in Indian society. It serves as a reminder that in a pluralistic democracy like India, where caste remains a highly sensitive subject, public figures bear a heightened responsibility in how they engage with it. The incident calls for a renewed commitment to respectful dialogue, even in disagreement.