Anurag Kashyap to Randeep Hooda: 5 celebrities who faced backlash over casteist and s*xist comments

In today's digital age, social media platforms have become a double-edged sword for celebrities. While they offer a direct line to fans, they also expose public figures to scrutiny over their statements. Several Indian celebrities have faced backlash for making casteist or s*xist remarks, leading to public apologies and debates. Here are five notable instances where celebrities were criticised for their controversial comments.

Renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap found himself at the centre of controversy after making a casteist remark about the Brahmin community. The controversy began when Kashyap responded to a user’s comment with, “Brahmin pe main m**toonga… koi problem?” This statement was widely condemned as casteist and disrespectful, leading to public outrage and legal complaints filed in Mumbai and Jaipur

In a social media post dated April 22, 2025, Kashyap admitted to overstepping boundaries in a moment of anger. He stated, "I forgot my limits while replying to someone in anger. And I spoke badly about the entire Brahmin community... I apologise from the bottom of my heart to this community." He further pledged to manage his anger and communicate more thoughtfully in the future.

Back in 2021, 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' actress Munmun Dutta faced criticism after using a term considered derogatory towards a specific community in a video. Upon realising the gravity of her words, she promptly removed the content and issued an apology. Dutta explained, "Because of my language barrier, I was genuinely misinformed about the meaning of the word... I sincerely would like to apologise to every single person who has been unintentionally hurt by the usage of the word." Despite her apology, many felt it lacked depth and understanding of the issue.

Comedian Kapil Sharma stirred controversy with a joke on 'The Kapil Sharma Show' aired on March 28, 2020, which referenced Shri Chitragupta, a revered deity of the Kayastha community. The community expressed their displeasure, threatening to boycott the show and file complaints. In response, Sharma took to Twitter to apologise, stating, "If the mention of Shri Chitragupta Ji has hurt your sentiments, then I and my entire team apologise to you. Our intention wasn’t to hurt anyone."

Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, known for his roles in 'Shaktimaan' and 'Mahabharat', faced backlash for his comments on the MeToo movement. In an interview, with The Filmy Charcha he remarked, "The problem of #MeToo began when women started working... Today, women talk about walking shoulder-to-shoulder with men." The statement was widely condemned as regressive and s*xist. Khanna later clarified that his comments were taken out of context and that he respects women, stating, "I apologise if I have hurt any women’s sentiments, and for not being able to put up my views the right way."

In 2021, an old video from 2012 resurfaced, showing actor Randeep Hooda making a derogatory joke about former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. The clip, shared widely on social media, was criticised for being casteist and sexist. A Twitter user commented, "If this does not explain how casteist and sexist this society is, especially towards Dalit women, I don’t know what will." Activist Kavita Krishnan also condemned the joke, highlighting the pervasive misogyny in society.