Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has apologised after his ‘urination’ remark towards the Brahmin community sparked a massive row. He shared a statement on social media where he expressed that he is okay with people criticising him, but not his family and friends. He also revealed that his close ones, including his daughter Aaliyah Kashyap, are getting death threats because of his remarks.

The Gangs of Wasseypur director wrote, “This is my apology, not for my post but for that one line taken out of context and the brewing hatred. No action or speech is worth your daughter, family, friends, and colleagues getting rape and death threats from the kingpins of sanskar.” He continued, “I won’t take back what I said. Abuse me all you want. My family didn’t say anything. If you want an apology, here it is. Brahmins, spare the women. These values are imbibed in our scriptures, too, except for Manuwaad. Decide which Brahmin you are. Rest, here’s an apology from me.”

What is the controversy about?

Earlier this week, Kashyap slammed the Central Board of Film Certification’s decision to delay the release of the film Phule and remove some caste-related words from it. The Ananth Mahadevan directorial is a biographical film on Jyotirao Phule and Savitribhai Phule, who fought against caste discrimination in the 19th century. It stars Patralekhaa and Pratik Gandhi. CBFC asked the makers of the film to remove words such as Mang, Mahar and Peshwai after Brahmin groups objected to the film’s content and accused it of promoting casteism. Kashyap went on a rant against the CBFC and accused it of blocking films which expose the ‘casteist government’ of the country.

Following this, a social media user lashed out at him and wrote, “Brahmins are your fathers. The more you mess with them, the more they will burn you.” Now, Kashyap’s response to this remark triggered a massive row. He wrote, “I will urinate on Brahmins… any problem?” Besides the online outrage, a police complaint was also filed in Mumbai by an advocate at the Bombay High Court.