Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his name appearing in documents linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The mention sparked online debate after recently released materials commonly referred to as the “Epstein Files” circulated across the internet and social media. Speaking about the issue in a recent interview, Kashyap dismissed the speculation and clarified that his name was merely referenced in an email exchange, not in any context suggesting involvement with Epstein or his activities. The filmmaker stressed that the reference was insignificant and had been blown out of proportion online.
‘Just a Random Email’, Says Kashyap
Explaining how his name appeared in the documents, Kashyap said that it likely surfaced in an email chain discussing potential speakers for an event in China. According to reports, the correspondence mentioned a “Bollywood guy” or “famous Bollywood director” who might be invited to speak. Reacting to this, Kashyap remarked that public figures often receive invitations from international institutions and events. He said that simply being mentioned in an email does not imply any personal involvement. “In the mail. In random mail,” he said, adding that he frequently receives speaking invitations from places like Harvard and Yale and does not respond to most of them.
The director also clarified that he has never even visited Beijing, where the event referenced in the email was reportedly supposed to take place.
‘My Name Has Become Clickbait’
Kashyap also reacted with humour to the situation, suggesting that his outspoken public persona often makes him an easy target for sensational headlines. He joked that his name tends to generate attention online, saying that attaching his name to controversies often attracts more interest than the box-office performance of his films.
Reflecting on the unusual circumstances, he quipped that sometimes he looks at the names appearing in the documents and thinks, “What company I have,” referring to the list of high-profile personalities mentioned in the broader set of files.
Context: The Epstein Files
The renewed controversy comes amid global scrutiny of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein, whose criminal network and associates have been the subject of investigations and legal proceedings for years. In early 2026, millions of pages of related material, including emails and internal records, were made public, leading to renewed public discussion about individuals referenced in the files.
However, experts and reports have repeatedly emphasised that a name appearing in the documents does not automatically imply wrongdoing or a direct association with Epstein.
Kashyap Addresses Past Controversies Too
During the same interaction, Kashyap also spoke about the income tax raid conducted at his residence in 2021. The director clarified that the investigation was primarily related to financial matters surrounding his former production banner Phantom Films after its dissolution.
As the conversation around the Epstein files continues globally, Kashyap has maintained that his mention in the documents holds no significance and that the controversy stems from misinterpretation of a routine email reference.
By – Sonali