Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his outspoken personality and unconventional storytelling, has once again found himself at the epicenter of a heated public debate — this time involving his upcoming project Phule, a biographical film centered on social reformer Jyotirao Phule, whose life and work challenged caste discrimination in India.
What started as a conversation about artistic freedom and censorship soon snowballed into a full-fledged social media storm when Kashyap’s comments, directed at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Brahmin community, triggered outrage across the internet, followed by formal police complaints and sharp rebukes from members of the film fraternity.
The controversy was set in motion after Kashyap voiced his frustration over the reported hurdles his film was facing with the CBFC. Known for his unapologetic views, Kashyap took to social media to express anger at what he believed was unjust censorship imposed on Phule — a film that aims to shed light on caste oppression and the revolutionary reforms initiated by Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule.
However, it wasn’t the critique of the CBFC that stoked the fire, but rather his sharp and controversial remarks targeting the Brahmin community. In response to a particularly provocative comment from an online user, who remarked, “Brahmins are your father,” Anurag replied with an expletive-laden statement that many found deeply offensive. He wrote, “Brahmin pe main m*****a..koi problem?” — a comment that instantly sparked criticism for its crude tone and direct insult.
The filmmaker’s statement did not go unnoticed, and almost instantly, social media platforms were flooded with angry responses from both individuals and organizations. Many users accused Kashyap of crossing the line between free speech and outright insult, especially given his stature as an influential voice in Indian cinema.
The criticism wasn’t limited to the digital world. Bollywood lyricist and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir, known for his own strong views on social and cultural topics, publicly condemned Kashyap’s statements. In a video message shared on his social media, Muntashir addressed the filmmaker directly, saying, “If you have less income, you cut back on expenses. If you have less knowledge, you must learn to control your words. Anurag Kashyap, you seem to lack both — so you should control both.”
He didn’t stop there. Muntashir further remarked that Kashyap’s derogatory comment wasn’t enough to taint or diminish the historical contributions of the Brahmin community, adding, “You don’t have enough water in your body to pollute the entire legacy of Brahmins.”
