“I forgot my limits": Anurag Kashyap apologizes to Brahmins after casteiest remark sparks backlash and legal action

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has publicly apologized to the Brahmin community after a comment he made on social media caused widespread outrage. The controversy began when Kashyap responded to criticism of his film Phule, a biographical drama about social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, by making a remark about the Brahmin community. In a reply to a social media user who had claimed, “Brahmins tumhare baap hain,” Kashyap responded with the controversial statement, “Brahmin pe main mootoonga.. koi problem?” The comment, which roughly translates to "I will urinate on Brahmins… any problem?" quickly went viral, triggering anger among Brahmin groups and the general public.

The backlash was swift and severe, with multiple Brahmin organizations condemning the remark as casteist and offensive. The incident escalated when an FIR was filed against Kashyap in Jaipur, alleging the use of abusive language towards the Brahmin community. The controversy also intensified as Kashyap’s family, including his daughter, received threats from online trolls, further fueling the debate surrounding the director’s comments. The legal action, combined with the public outcry, prompted Kashyap to issue a formal apology.

In his apology, Kashyap admitted that his comment was made in anger and that he had crossed a line in his response. He expressed regret for insulting the Brahmin community, stating that he never intended to target them in such a manner. “I forgot my limits while answering someone in anger,” Kashyap wrote, acknowledging that his words had hurt not only the Brahmin community but also his family, intellectuals he respected, and others in his circle. He further clarified that his anger had diverted the conversation from the actual issue at hand.

Kashyap’s apology continued with a commitment to work on managing his anger and ensuring that he communicates more thoughtfully in the future. He emphasized that if he needed to address sensitive topics, he would use the appropriate language and conduct himself with dignity. “I will work on my anger to ensure this doesn’t happen again. And if I have to talk about the issue, I will use the right words,” he wrote. He also apologized to his colleagues, family, and the broader community for his choice of words and the way he expressed himself.

The incident comes at a time when Kashyap’s film Phule has been at the center of discussions about caste representation in cinema. The film’s portrayal of caste dynamics has been controversial, with some viewing it as a challenge to the traditional power structures in Indian society. While Kashyap’s apology may help in diffusing some of the tension, the incident has sparked ongoing debates about caste-based remarks, freedom of speech, and the responsibility of public figures in their statements.