Acclaimed director Nagraj Manjule, known for critically praised films like Fandry, Sairat, and Ghar Banduk Biryani, recently shared insightful observations regarding caste identity, social inequality, and surname politics in Indian society. Speaking on ABP Majha’s program Koffee with Kaushik, the filmmaker opened up about how deep-rooted social structures continue to track individuals despite modern efforts to move past them.

Addressing a query on whether he carefully chooses character surnames in his movies to reflect economic class, Manjule explained that social stratification in India extends far beyond simple wealth disparities. He noted that caste and surnames are deeply linked to identity and occupation, arguing that cinema should authentically reflect these social realities rather than glossing over them.

Critiquing how mainstream Hindi cinema historically handled the topic, Manjule cited the popular song “Pag Ghungroo Bandh” from Amitabh Bachchan’s Namak Halaal. He highlighted how the lyrics raise questions about names and origins, only to dismiss them with lines suggesting those details do not matter. Manjule argued that while such films approached the subject, they often avoided addressing the core issue of caste head-on.

Sharing a personal revelation, Manjule disclosed that he deliberately chose to suppress his own surname to avoid immediate categorization. However, he observed that people still go out of their way to deduce a person’s background through persistent questioning about their native place, relatives, or lineage. Drawing parallels to themes explored in Dalit literature, the director emphasized that despite progressive shifts where individuals opt to use only their first name or father’s name, society often remains obsessed with uncovering one’s caste identity.