Anurag Kashyap's 'dimagi nakal' T-shirt steals the show at Imtiaz Ali dinner
Synopsis
Anurag Kashyap wore a red 'dimagi nakal' T-shirt to a dinner with Imtiaz Ali, and the internet did the rest. Arriving days after PM Modi's Independence Day warning about 'dimagi naxals', the slogan-tee was read as pointed wordplay — turning a casual night out into one of Bollywood's more quietly subversive social media moments of the week.
Key Takeaways
Anurag Kashyap shared photos from a dinner with Imtiaz Ali on Instagram on 18 August .
His red T-shirt, reading 'dimagi nakal' and 'been into this since my school days' , drew more attention than the outing itself.
The phrase is widely seen as a play on PM Narendra Modi 's Independence Day warning against 'dimagi naxals' .
The T-shirt was credited to the label @yehhaihindicinema ; fans urged Kashyap to launch his own merchandise line.
Social media reactions ranged from appreciation for the wit to calls for a follow-up slogan tee.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap turned heads at a recent family dinner outing with director Imtiaz Ali — not for the company he kept, but for the T-shirt he wore. The Gangs of Wasseypur director shared photos from the gathering on Instagram on Tuesday, 18 August, and it was his choice of attire that quickly became the talking point online.
The T-Shirt That Stole the Spotlight
Kashyap was photographed in a red T-shirt bearing the phrase 'dimagi nakal', with an additional line reading 'been into this since my school days'. The T-shirt, credited to the label @yehhaihindicinema, drew immediate attention from followers and commenters alike. Kashyap himself acknowledged the distraction, captioning the post: 'Family dinner and then my t shirt that drew more attention .. t shirt by @yehhaihindicinema'.
The Political Subtext
The phrase 'dimagi nakal' is widely read as a wordplay on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, in which he cautioned the nation against 'dimagi naxals' — individuals who, in his framing, manipulate policies and pose a threat to society. Modi urged citizens to 'identify and isolate' such people, adding that while armed Naxalism had been largely removed from India's forests, its ideological supporters reportedly continue to incite violence. Kashyap's T-shirt, whether intentional commentary or not, arrived just days after that speech.
How the Internet Reacted
The post generated a wave of responses, with many users appreciating what they read as a subtle act of wit. One Instagram user wrote: 'Deliberate use of Dimaag with that Dimaagi T-shirt. Love the sarkasm.' Another commented: 'I love that t-shirt.. proud to be Dimagi nakal.' A third user suggested: 'Mast… Next one should read as Andhnamazi.'
Several commenters urged Kashyap to capitalise on the moment. 'Anurag, could you consider start selling merchandise,' one user wrote. Another fan expressed relief at seeing the director's irreverent side return: 'Sir purani form mein wapas agaye hai.' One comment in particular caught wider attention: 'Anurag Kashyap calling Imtiaz Ali his family is my Roman Empire.'
Kashyap and Ali: A Long Creative Bond
The dinner itself underscored the enduring friendship between two of Hindi cinema's most distinctive voices. Both Kashyap and Ali have long operated outside mainstream Bollywood conventions — Kashyap through raw, gritty narratives, and Ali through emotionally layered road-trip romances. Their public camaraderie is well documented, making the 'family dinner' framing resonate with long-time fans of both filmmakers.
With the T-shirt now circulating widely on social media, the label behind it is likely to see a surge in interest — and Kashyap, characteristically, has managed to make a dinner outing feel like a cultural moment.
Point of View
What a filmmaker wears can carry more commentary than a press statement. The 'dimagi nakal' phrase lands because it requires no explanation — its audience already knows the reference. What is worth noting is the asymmetry: a T-shirt generates more cultural conversation than most op-eds. Whether Kashyap intended pointed political commentary or simply wore something he found amusing, the public has already decided the meaning — and that gap between intent and reception is itself the story. Indian popular culture has long used humour and wordplay as a pressure valve; this is squarely in that tradition.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anurag Kashyap's 'dimagi nakal' T-shirt say?
The red T-shirt worn by Anurag Kashyap read 'dimagi nakal' along with the line 'been into this since my school days'. It was credited to the label @yehhaihindicinema and was shared in photos from a dinner outing with director Imtiaz Ali on 18 August.
Why is the 'dimagi nakal' T-shirt seen as a reference to PM Modi?
PM Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, warned against 'dimagi naxals' — people who allegedly manipulate policies and threaten social order. The phrase 'dimagi nakal' on Kashyap's T-shirt is widely read as a wordplay on that term, arriving just days after the speech.
Who was at Anurag Kashyap's dinner with Imtiaz Ali?
According to Kashyap's own Instagram post, the gathering was a family dinner that also included other friends and family members, though no other names were specified in the post.
How did fans react to Anurag Kashyap's T-shirt post?
Reactions were largely positive and amused. Fans praised his sense of humour, with one calling it 'sarkasm', another expressing pride in being a 'dimagi nakal', and several urging Kashyap to start selling his own merchandise.
What is Anurag Kashyap known for?
Anurag Kashyap is a Mumbai-based filmmaker best known for directing the Gangs of Wasseypur series, Dev D, and Black Friday, among others. He is widely regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most distinctive and unconventional voices.
