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Brahmin Controversy to Criticising ‘Toxic’ Bollywood: When Anurag Kashyap’s bold statements landed him in controversy | – The Times of India

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Brahmin Controversy to Criticising ‘Toxic’ Bollywood: When Anurag Kashyap’s bold statements landed him in controversy | – The Times of India


Few filmmakers in India have worn controversy as comfortably as Anurag Kashyap. The director who belted out hits with with Black Friday, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Dev D among others, has often found himself in the eye of political, social, and ideological storms. Whether you agree with him or not, there’s no denying that he’s unfiltered, fearless, and deeply committed to the kind of cinema that pushes boundaries. However, it is often his outspoken nature and unfiltered honesty that have triggered backlash from multiple quarters.
From social media spats and FIRs and battles with censorship, here’s a look at the times when Kashyap’s bold statements stirred controversy.
The Brahmin Comment Controversy
Anurag Kashyap found himself slapped with an FIR after a provocative comment on Instagram made in the heat of a caste-based debate surrounding his upcoming biopic Phule, triggered massive backlash.
In the post, the director reportedly wrote, “Brahmanon pe mootunga. Koi dikkat?” (I’ll urinate on Brahmins. Any problem?).

According to reports, shortly after, a complaint was filed at Tilak Marg Police Station in New Delhi by Ujjwal Gaur, who called the remark “vulgar, inflammatory, and repulsive.” Critics claimed that the director’s statement could incite communal tension.
Kashyap soon issued a public apology, stating, “This is my apology, not for my post, but for that one line taken out of context and the brewing hatred.” He also revealed that he and his family had received rape and death threats over the remark.
“Bollywood is too toxic now”
Just last week, Kashyap was in the news when he revealed that he had left Mumbai, citing ‘toxicity’ of the film industry. “Everyone is chasing the next Rs 500 or Rs 800 crore film. The creative atmosphere is gone,” he said and described Mumbai as a city where “people pull you down.”

Later, he went on to clarify that contrary to the buzz that he was quitting the film industry, Kashyap cheekily tweeted, “I’m busier than Shah Rukh Khan… I don’t have dates until 2028.” He confirmed that he has five directorials lined up for release over the next year.
‘Tandav’ Fallout
Last year, Anurag Kashyap’s ambitious adaptation of Maximum City was shelved following the Tandav controversy. The Saif Ali Khan-led series was accused of hurting religious sentiments and disrespecting Hindu deities, leading to FIRs, protests, and political pressure.
Though Kashyap wasn’t directly involved in Tandav, the communal sensitivities it triggered indirectly impacted his project. The cancellation was deeply personal for Kashyap, who claimed that it contributed to two heart attacks and a bout of depression. “It took a toll on my health,” he confessed.
Defending ‘Animal’
In the face of widespread criticism over the film Animal — especially its portrayal of toxic masculinity — Kashyap stood by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. “Nobody has the right to tell a filmmaker what kind of films they should or shouldn’t make,” he said in an interview.
Kashyap boldly claimed that 80% of Indian men were “like Kabir Singh,” and added, “Morality is subjective. Let filmmakers represent what they want. We can disagree — that’s democracy.”
Opposes Ban on The Kerala Story
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap labelled The Kerala Story a “propaganda film” but expressed strong opposition to bans on the film. “While I don’t support banning any film, The Kerala Story clearly falls under propaganda,” he told Hindustan Times. He added that he aims to make films grounded in reality, not counter-propaganda or activism. The Adah Sharma-starrer drew criticism for the portrayal of Indian women being coerced into conversion and abduction by extremists.
The Income Tax Raids
In 2021, Income Tax officials raided the homes and offices of Kashyap and actor Taapsee Pannu, both vocal critics of the government. The raids extended to 30 locations, including those linked to Phantom Films and talent management agencies like KWAN.
Many viewed the move as a response to their political outspokenness. Kashyap later commented, “If one joke rattles your faith, then maybe you need to work on strengthening your value system.”
Criticising Ban on Pakistani Artistes
After criticising the 2016 ban on Pakistani artistes in Bollywood, Kashyap reportedly received threats and disturbing messages. Going public about the threats, he admitted that the fear for his family’s safety made him retreat from online engagement. “Now when I put out a tweet, I don’t read the responses,” he revealed and added “People need someone to lash out at.”





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Deepika Padukone once recalled being locked in the store room by dad Prakash Padukone when she misbehaved: ‘He would switch the light’ | – The Times of India

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Deepika Padukone once recalled being locked in the store room by dad Prakash Padukone when she misbehaved: ‘He would switch the light’ | – The Times of India


Deepika Padukone, currently enjoying motherhood, recently reminisced about her childhood on The Kapil Sharma Show. She shared a story about her father, Prakash Padukone’s, strict parenting style, which involved a dark store room punishment for misbehavior. Balancing motherhood and career, Deepika was last seen in Singham Again and Kalki 2898 AD, and is expected to appear in Tiger Vs Pathaan.

Deepika Padukone, who is currently on a break from the spotlight after embracing motherhood, recently made headlines as an old video of her from The Kapil Sharma Show went viral. In the video, the actress opened up about her childhood and shared a funny yet strict parenting moment from her father, badminton legend Prakash Padukone.
A Strict but Loving Childhood Memory
While speaking with Kapil Sharma, Deepika Padukone recalled how her father, Prakash Padukone, would handle her childhood mischief. She shared that in their old apartment, misbehaving or skipping homework would lead to a strict punishment—being locked inside a dark store room, with the light switch placed outside, completely under her father’s control.Embracing Motherhood
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcomed their daughter, Dua, in September last year. Since becoming a mother, Deepika has mentioned in various interviews that parenthood will likely influence her choice of roles. She also shared that she’s learning to strike a balance between spending time with her daughter and managing her work commitments.

Relatable New Mom Moments
At the Forbes Summit in Abu Dhabi this March, Deepika Padukone opened up about her journey as a new mom. She shared how, like many first-time mothers, she often turns to Google with parenting questions. During the event, she also reflected on advice from her father, who reminded her that above all achievements, people remember you for the kind of person you are—a thought that deeply influences how she approaches both life and career.
On the work front, Deepika Padukone was last seen in Singham Again and the sci-fi epic Kalki 2989 AD. As she eases into her new role as a mother, the actress is expected to return to the big screen with the much-anticipated action film Tiger Vs Pathaan.





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Tahira Kashyap shares life update after breast cancer relapse; returns to writing new script – See post | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India

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Tahira Kashyap shares life update after breast cancer relapse; returns to writing new script – See post | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India


Tahira Kashyap, the filmmaker, recently announced that her breast cancer has returned after seven years. On Thursday, she posted a personal update on Instagram, revealing that she is now dedicating her time to working on a new script.
A Heartfelt Selfie and Inspiring Note
She shared a selfie where her laptop screen partially covered her face. Displayed on the screen was a note she had penned, stating, “INTERVAL – INT/EXT DAY UNIVERSE… After a brief interim this woman in question holds her laptop to write another script one more time. With gratitude in her heart, prayer on her lips and a smile beaming through her eyes she mumbles – ME.”
The note also read, “Thank you universe, thank you God for all the challenges and all the blessings. Had it not been for these obstacles I wouldn’t have acknowledged your love. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to become a better version of myself. And so here’s Tahira 3.0 version! Back to the grind, back to the hustle, back to life and so glad to be back at work! Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost (The picture is still left). To be continued…” “Life update,” she captioned the post.
Support from Celebrities and Friends
Several celebrities, including Ayushmann Khurrana, Dia Mirza, Bhumi Pednekar, Saiyami Kher, Divya Dutta, Sonali Bendre, and Guneet Monga, showed their support by responding to the post with heart emojis.
Earlier Announcement of Relapse
Earlier this month, Tahira Kashyap announced that her breast cancer had returned for the second time. On Instagram, she posted, “Seven year itch or the power of regular screening- it’s a perspective, I had like to go with the latter and suggest the same for everyone who needs to get regular mammograms. Round 2 for me…I still got this.”
Personal and Family Background
In 2018, Tahira was diagnosed with breast cancer and openly documented many aspects of her treatment experience. She is married to actor Ayushmann Khurrana, and together they have two children—a son and a daughter.





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Pahalgam terror attack: Six in 10 families cancel travel plans to Kashmir, finds survey

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Pahalgam terror attack: Six in 10 families cancel travel plans to Kashmir, finds survey


Shikara owners at Dal Lake in Srinagar protest against the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, southern Kashmir.
| Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has cast a shadow over Kashmir’s booming tourism industry. A new nationwide survey reveals that six out of 10 families with travel plans to the valley this year have decided to cancel their bookings following the attack.

The survey respondents represented a cross-section of urban and rural India: 41% were from Tier-1 cities, 28% from Tier-2 towns, and 31% from smaller districts and rural areas. Around 63% of the participants were men, while 37% were women.

Pahalgam terror attack updates April 24, 2025

62% of 6,807 respondents decided to cancel their vacations

The survey conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles among over 21,000 citizens across 361 districts across India, paints a grim picture. Among 6,807 respondents who had planned trips to Kashmir between May and December this year, 62% have already decided to cancel their vacations. Only 38% said they would go ahead with their travel plans, the survey revealed.

Looking beyond 2025, the survey asked 14,430 participants about the likelihood of visiting Kashmir within the next three years. Just 29% said they were still open to visiting, while another 33% said their decision would depend on how effectively the government addresses safety concerns. About 21% categorically ruled out a trip, and 9% said Kashmir was never on their travel list.

The travel industry fears not just an immediate slump, but a long-term dip in travel confidence. While some stakeholders hope government intervention might cushion the blow, especially concerning religious tourism, anxiety remains high.

This disruption comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom. According to the State’s Economic Survey for 2024-25, the region recorded a historic high of 2.36 crore visitors in 2024. Among them were 65,452 international tourists, 5.12 lakh pilgrims who participated in the Amarnath Yatra, and 94.56 lakh devotees who visited the Vaishno Devi temple.



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