Reputed Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's ex-wife, Kalki Koechlin, has issued a statement defending him after sexual assault allegations were levelled against him by actress Payal Ghosh. In a detailed statement, Kalki went on to inform Anurag Kashyap to not feel let-down by the accusations, while also hailing him for standing up for her integrity even after their divorce in 2015 after the two wed in 2011.

As a response to the claims made by Payal Ghosh, Kalki, who is known among Tamil cinema fans for her special appearance in the 'Kaalam' song in 'Thala' Ajith’s Nerkonda Paarvai, captioned her tweet as "Trolls toh troll karenge (trolls will troll)" and wrote, "Dear Anurag, don’t let this social media circus get to you, you have fought for the freedom of women in your scripts, you’ve defended their integrity in your professional space as well as in your personal life. I have been witness to it, in the personal and professional space you have always seen me as your equal, you have stood up for my integrity even after our divorce, and you have supported me when I felt unsafe in a work environment even before we got together."

She further stated, "This strange time where everyone gets to abuse one another and make false claims without any repercussions is a dangerous and repulsive one. It is destroying families, friends and countries. But there is a place of dignity that exists beyond this virtual blood bath, a place of paying attention to the needs of those around you, a place of being kind even when no one is looking, and I know you are very familiar with that place. Hang on to that dignity, stay strong and keep doing the work you do. Love from an ex wife." 

Payal Ghosh had earlier in a tweet on Saturday tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused Anurag Kashyap of forcing himself upon her. Her tweet read, "@anuragkashyap72 has forced himself on me and extremely badly. @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji, kindly take action and let the country see the demon behind this creative guy. I am aware that it can harm me and my security is at risk. Pls help!"

Meanwhile, Anurag’s lawyer, denying the allegations, issued a statement that reads as follows: "My client, Anurag Kashyap, has been deeply pained by the false allegations of sexual misconduct that have recently surfaced against him. These allegations are completely false, malicious and dishonest. It is sad that a social movement as important as the #metoo movement has been co-opted by vested interests and reduced to a mere tool for character assassination. Fictitious allegations of this nature seriously undermine the movement and seek to unconscionably trade upon the pain and trauma of actual victims of sexual harassment and abuse. My client has been advised about his rights and remedies in law and intends to pursue them to the fullest extent - Priyanka Khimani."

Anurag Kashyap's first wife, film editor Aarti Bajaj, too issued a statement in defence of the acclaimed filmmaker in an Instagram post saying, "First wife here.. You are a rockstar @anuragkashyap10. Keep empowering women as you do and the safest place you create for all of them. I see it first hand with our daughter. There is no integrity left and the world is full of losers and no brains baying for blood of anyone who has a voice. If everybody spends the energy which they use in hating others constructively this world will be a better place. Cheapest stunt I have seen till now. First it made me angry then I laughed so hard as it cannot come more framed then this . I am sorry that you have to go through this .That’s the level of them. You stay HIGH and keep using your voice. We love you."