Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has broken his silence regarding reports that his name appears in the massive trove of Jeffrey Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice on January 30, 2026. Kashyap dismissed the allegations as “clickbait” and clarified a major geographical discrepancy in the unverified documents.
The Allegation: A ‘Bollywood Guy’ in Beijing
The controversy stems from unverified emails within the 3 million pages of documents released this week. The files reportedly contain a 2017 email exchange between individuals named Gino Yu and Giuseppe Bersani, who were attempting to invite Epstein to an event in Beijing (or Shanghai, according to some reports).
- The Reference: The email refers to a “famous Bollywood director” and “Bollywood guy” as an expected guest or keynote speaker at a workshop on Buddhism, technology, and medicine.
- The List: Kashyap was reportedly listed alongside other notable figures like Ben Goertzel and Deepak Chopra as “cool people” expected to attend the summit.
Anurag Kashyap’s Rebuttal: “Never Been to Beijing”
Kashyap was quick to point out the absurdity of the mention, noting that he has no recollection of such an event and a very clear alibi for the location mentioned.
- Geographical Deniability: “I have no clue about this… I have never been to Beijing in my life!” Kashyap told HT City.
- Invitation Fatigue: The filmmaker explained that as a public figure, he receives approximately 15 speaker invitations a month, most of which he ignores.
- “Random Emails”: He criticized the credibility of the documents being cited, calling them “random emails” and stating that “the clickbaits in my name are more popular than my films.”
Context: The 2026 Epstein File Dump
The release of these files has created a global media frenzy, naming hundreds of high-profile figures from politics, tech, and entertainment.
| Key Figures Named | Nature of Mention |
| Donald Trump | Hundreds of mentions; DOJ labeled some as “unfounded/false.” |
| Bill Gates | Emails suggest Epstein tried to “entrap” him via health-related claims. |
| Elon Musk | 2012 emails discussing a potential visit to Epstein’s island. |
| Prince Andrew | Faced intense scrutiny over leaked photos and private dinner invites. |
| Indian Names | Aside from Kashyap, names like Anil Ambani and Nandita Das appeared in various logistical or invitation-based contexts. |
Officials and legal experts emphasize that appearing in these files does not imply criminal wrongdoing or even a personal relationship with Epstein; many entries are simply lists of prospective invitees or business contacts compiled by Epstein’s associates.