A Surat court on Friday issued a notice summoning Kashyap to appear in person on May 7, warning that failure to comply could lead to further legal consequences.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has landed in legal trouble following his controversial remarks against the Brahmin community.
The court has also directed that a copy of the notice be sent to his residence, intensifying the seriousness of the matter. The action comes in response to a criminal complaint filed by Kamlesh Rawal, a lawyer based in Gujarat, who has accused Kashyap of making derogatory statements intended to provoke communal discord.
Remarks Spark Backlash
The controversy erupted after Kashyap made a social media post on April 16, expressing anger over the censorship of his upcoming film Phule, a biopic based on the life of social reformer Jyotirao Phule. In the now-deleted post, Kashyap made remarks that were widely interpreted as targeting the Brahmin community, sparking a backlash online and leading to legal complaints.
This isn’t the first time Kashyap has faced criticism for his outspoken views. The complaint points to previous incidents, including comments in 2020 about Hindu society and a public spat with actor Anil Kapoor in 2024, as evidence of a pattern in his behavior.
Apology Fails To Quell Outrage
In response to the outrage, Kashyap issued a public apology via Instagram, admitting he had crossed a line. He acknowledged that his anger got the better of him and that his words had hurt not only the community but also his own family and respected peers.
“I spoke badly about the entire Brahmin community. That community, whose many people have been in my life, are still there and contribute a lot. Today, all of them are hurt by me. My family is hurt by me. Many intellectuals, whom I respect, are hurt by my anger and my way of speaking,” Kashyap wrote.
He went on to express remorse and vowed to manage his emotions better in the future. “I will work on my anger. If I have to speak on an issue again, I will choose my words carefully,” he added, also urging the public to direct their criticism at him and not his family.
More Legal Trouble Looms
Despite the apology, the legal challenges are far from over. Another complaint has been filed in Indore by activist Anoop Shukla, who accused Kashyap of deliberately making statements aimed at fueling tensions between social groups. Shukla claimed that the filmmaker’s remarks were not just offensive but also socially divisive.
As the court date approaches, Kashyap finds himself at the center of a legal storm that could have lasting implications for his public image and career.
Whether his apology will soften the court’s stance remains to be seen, but it is clear that the controversy has reignited debates around free speech, artistic expression, and responsibility in public discourse.
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