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Born in India · Nationality Indian — Cinema / production / directing

Anurag Kashyap

Documented profile covering 10 controversies, including “Paanch: initial refusal of certification by Censor Board” and “Black Friday: High Court blocks release until verdict in bombings trial”.

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Profile No. 0257 · Updated on 12 October 2026

10Documented controversies

18Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2020–2026

Payal Ghosh rape complaint: FIR and police questioning

Investigation

Payal Ghosh accused Kashyap of rape allegedly committed several years earlier; Mumbai police registered an FIR and questioned him.

State of the evidence: FIR and questioning documented
Attribution: Direct personal allegation, unsubstantiated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressFIR against director Anurag Kashyap after actress alleges rapeMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressAnurag Kashyap issued summons to be present for questioning in rape caseMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2025–2026

Remarks about Brahmins: multiple FIRs, apology and order to register criminal case in Surat

Investigation

While defending the film Phule in a caste-related debate, Kashyap published a response deemed insulting to the Brahmin community. Complaints and FIRs followed; in May 2026, a Surat court ordered a criminal case to be registered.

State of the evidence: Posts, apology, FIRs and court order documented
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility for his posts

Sources · 3

[1]
The Indian ExpressCase filed against director Anurag Kashyap in Varanasi over remark on BrahminsMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressAnurag Kashyap issues second apology to Brahmin communityMediaHigh reliability
[3]
ThePrint / PTISurat court orders registration of criminal case against Anurag KashyapMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2025

Netflix and "saas-bahu": public dispute with Ted Sarandos and Ekta Kapoor

No legal proceedings

Following comments by Ted Sarandos about Netflix India's initial programming choices, Kashyap called him "dumb" and criticised the reference to saas-bahu-style soap operas. Ekta Kapoor accused him of being classist.

State of the evidence: Public statements and responses documented
Attribution: Personal responsibility for his remarks

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressAnurag Kashyap calls Netflix CEO dumb over Sacred Games commentMediaHigh reliability
[2]
Hindustan TimesEktaa Kapoor calls Anurag Kashyap classist, dumbMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2021

Tax searches targeting entities linked to Phantom Films

Investigation

Tax authorities searched premises and entities linked to Phantom Films, Anurag Kashyap and other professionals, subsequently referring to substantial accounting discrepancies across the entities inspected.

State of the evidence: Searches and tax authority statements documented
Attribution: Director/shareholder linked to the entities under investigation

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressIncome Tax searches Phantom FilmsMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressOver Rs 650 cr discrepancies found after raidsMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2015–2018

Phantom Films / Vikas Bahl: criticism of handling of harassment complaint

Allegations

A former employee claimed to have informed Kashyap of harassment allegations against Vikas Bahl and that Phantom's response had been inadequate. Kashyap said he was deeply sorry for not having acted more effectively.

State of the evidence: Testimonies, responses and Kashyap's apologies documented
Attribution: Disputed governance responsibility as a Phantom partner

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressAnurag Kashyap on Vikas Bahl sexual harassment allegation: I am deeply, truly sorryMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressPhantom Films: Vikramaditya Motwane sorryMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2016

Udta Punjab: direct confrontation with CBFC over 89, then 13 cuts

Civil / administrative proceedings

The CBFC demanded up to 89 changes to Udta Punjab. Kashyap challenged the decision, and his company Phantom Films petitioned the Bombay High Court.

State of the evidence: CBFC decisions and Bombay High Court judgment documented

Sources · 1

[1]
The Indian ExpressDon’t be over-sensitive, Bombay HC tells CBFC, clears Udta Punjab with one little cutMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2016

Haraamkhor: certification refusal and renewed confrontation with CBFC

Civil / administrative proceedings

Haraamkhor, co-produced by Kashyap, was refused a certificate by the CBFC because of its subject matter involving a relationship between a teacher and a teenage girl.

State of the evidence: Certification refusal and public reaction documented
Attribution: Co-producer affected by the decision

Sources · 1

[1]
India TodayUdta Punjab again: Pahlaj Nihalani halts Haraamkhor releaseMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2013–2014

Ugly: legal battle against mandatory anti-tobacco warnings

Civil / administrative proceedings

Kashyap challenged the requirement to display anti-tobacco warnings during scenes in Ugly, arguing that these overlays interfered with cinematic expression.

State of the evidence: Petition and Bombay High Court decisions documented
Attribution: Direct personal responsibility as petitioner

Sources · 2

[1]
The Indian ExpressAnurag Kashyap refuses to display No Smoking warning in UglyMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressAnti-tobacco disclaimer: HC refuses interim relief to KashyapMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2005–2007

Black Friday: High Court blocks release until verdict in bombings trial

Civil / administrative proceedings

The Bombay High Court blocked the release of Black Friday, a film about the 1993 Bombay bombings, until the verdict in the TADA trial.

State of the evidence: Bombay High Court stay order documented
Attribution: Director affected by a judicial decision

Sources · 1

[1]
Times of IndiaHC stops release of Black FridayMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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2001–2003

Paanch: initial refusal of certification by Censor Board

Civil / administrative proceedings

Kashyap's first feature film, Paanch, was refused certification by the Censor Board, notably on the grounds that it glorified violence and drugs and did not provide wholesome entertainment.

State of the evidence: Initial certification refusal and reconsideration documented
Attribution: Director affected by a censorship decision

Sources · 2

[1]
India TodayCensor board rejects Anurag Kashyap's PaanchMediaHigh reliability
[2]
The Indian ExpressPahlaj Nihlani intellectually incapable of the position he holds, says Anurag KashyapMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 23 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
Line width: number of documented references
Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)

Ekta Kapoor1 documented reference
- Netflix and "saas-bahu": public dispute with Ted Sarandos and Ekta Kapoor Source ↗
Ted Sarandos1 documented reference
- Netflix and "saas-bahu": public dispute with Ted Sarandos and Ekta Kapoor Source ↗

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.