I’ll Urinate on Brahmins’: Anurag Kashyap’s Explosive Instagram Posts Amid ‘Phule’ Film Controversy Spark Massive Outrage
Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has ignited a storm of controversy with a series of explosive social media posts and comments targeting caste hypocrisy in India, especially amid the backlash against his upcoming film Phule.
Acclaimed yet controversial filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has once again stirred up a national debate — this time over caste, censorship, and political hypocrisy — through a series of scathing Instagram posts and public remarks.
At the heart of the storm is Kashyap’s reaction to the backlash surrounding Phule, a biopic on social reformers Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule, which was delayed after protests by Brahmin groups. The film, directed by Ananth Mahadevan and starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, was earlier set to release on April 11 but has now been pushed to April 25.
Anurag’s Explosive Instagram Post
Kashyap took to Instagram with a blunt and controversial story that quickly went viral:
“Meri zindagi ka pehla natak Jyotiba aur Savitribai Phule pe tha. Bhai agar casteism nahin hota is desh mein toh unko kya zaroorat thi ladne ki. Ab ye Brahmin log ko sharam aa rahi hai ya wo sharam mein mare ja rahe hain ya phir ek alag Brahmin Bharat mein jee rahe hain jo hum dekh nahin paa rahe hain, ch**a kaun hai koi to samjhave.”
(Translation): “The first play I ever did in my life was on Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule. If casteism didn’t exist in this country, why would they have needed to fight against it? Now these Brahmin groups either feel ashamed, are dying of shame, or perhaps they’re living in some alternate Brahmin-only India that we’re unable to see. Someone please explain—who’s the real fool here?”
Questions Over ‘Santosh’ and ‘Dhadak 2’
In a follow-up Instagram post, the Gulaal director raised questions over the inconsistent application of censorship and caste debate in Indian cinema:
“Bhai mil ke decide kar lo. India mein casteism hai ya nahi… Dhadak 2 ki screening mein censor board ne bola, Modi ji ne India mein caste system khatam kar diya hai. Usi aadhar pe Santosh bhi India mein release nahin hui. Ab Brahmin ko problem hai Phule se. Bhaiya, jab caste system hi nahin hai to kahe ka Brahmin. Kaun ho aap? Aap ki kyon sulag rahi hai?”
(Translation): “Please meet and decide if casteism exists in India or not. During the screening of Dhadak 2, the censor board told us that Modiji has eradicated the caste system in India. On the same grounds, Santosh wasn’t released either. Now, Brahmins are objecting to Phule. Brother, if casteism doesn’t exist, then how can you claim to be Brahmins? Why are you getting worked up?”
He continued in a more furious tone:
“Jab caste system tha nahin toh Jyotiba Phule aur Savitri Bai kyon the? Ya toh aap ka Brahminism exist hi nahin karta kyunki Modi ji ke hisaab se India mein caste system nahin hai? Ya sab log milke sab ko ch*****a bana rahe ho. Bhai mil ke decide kar lo. India mein casteism hai ya nahi. Log chutiya nahin hain. Aap Brahmin log ho ya phir aap ke baap hain jo upar baithe hain. Decide kar lo.”
(Translation): “If casteism doesn’t exist, then why did Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule exist? Either your Brahminism doesn’t exist because Modiji claims caste is abolished, or you’re all collectively fooling the people. Decide once and for all — is there casteism in India or not? People aren’t fools. Are you Brahmins, or are your bosses the real Brahmins? Decide now.”
CBFC’s Role and Film Censorship
The Phule film controversy began when the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) demanded several edits to the movie despite granting it a ‘U’ certificate. Key changes included deleting references to caste identifiers like Mahar, Mang, Peshwai, and altering the line “3,000 saal purani ghulami” to “kai saal purani ghulami.”
Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan confirmed the edits were made to ensure the film’s release.
Public Reaction and Political Storm
Anurag Kashyap’s comments have divided the internet. While many from the progressive and Dalit communities are praising him for calling out systemic double standards, right-wing and upper-caste voices have accused him of inciting hate.
Some have even filed police complaints and called for a boycott of Kashyap’s work, with hashtags like #BoycottAnuragKashyap, #PhuleControversy, and #CasteismDebate trending across platforms.
