“Decide If Caste Exists or Not…”: Anurag Kashyap Slams CBFC Over Censorship of Phule

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has raised strong objections to the Central Board of Film Certifications's (CBFC) decision to censor Phule, a biographical drama directed by Ananth Mahadevan. Starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, the film based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule has been facing backlash over allegations of promoting casteism.

Ahead of its scheduled release on April 25, the CBFC has reportedly asked the makers to implement multiple edits, including the removal of caste-related terms such as Mahar, Mang, Peshvai, and references to Manu’s caste system, significantly altering the original script.

On Instagram post, Kashyap criticized the rationale behind the cuts, Anurag wrote, “At the screening of Dhadak 2, the censor board said, ‘Modi ji has eradicated the caste system in India.’ Based on that, Santosh was also not allowed to release in India. Now Brahmins have a problem with Phule. Brother, if the caste system doesn’t exist, then what is a Brahmin? Who are you?

Further he added, “Why are you getting so worked up? If there was no caste system, then why did Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai exist? Either your Brahminism doesn’t exist because according to Modi, the caste system no longer exists in India or all of you are just trying to fool everyone together. Brother, make up your mind. Does casteism exist in India or not? People are not fools. Are you Brahmins or is it your superiors sitting above? Decide.”

Kashyap’s remarks come shortly after fellow filmmaker Anubhav Sinha also took to Instagram to voice his concern over the censor board’s actions. The Thappad director questioned the double standards in speech and cinema regulation, writing, “Is there no caste system in society? Has it never existed? Why should we lie to ourselves? And why should only cinema be forced to lie? The Election Commission allows certain content in political speeches shouldn't the CBFC follow the same standards?”

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