Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has responded after his name appeared in newly disclosed United States government documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying he has no knowledge of the reference and questioning the credibility of the material.
The documents, released last week by the US Justice Department, include records of Epstein’s communications with several prominent figures from around the world. Kashyap is described in the files as a “famous Bollywood director” who was being considered as a potential invitee to a proposed event in Shanghai, China.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Kashyap said he was unaware of any such connection. “I have no clue about this. I get many invitations as a speaker, about 15 a month. I rarely respond. Also, I have never been to Beijing in my life,” he said.
The director also cast doubt on the significance of the mention, calling it a random email and criticising what he described as sensational coverage. He said the attention generated by the reports was greater than the publicity for his films.
Kashyap is currently awaiting the release of his film Kennedy on ZEE5.
Other Indian personalities named in the documents include filmmakers Mira Nair and Nandita Das. The files also mention several global figures, including US President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, British billionaire Richard Branson, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, died by suicide in 2019.