Epstein Files: The release of long-sealed court documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein has once again jolted the global news cycle, not because they deliver neat conclusions, but because they underline just how tangled power, proximity and perception can become in elite social circles. These documents, often loosely grouped under the shorthand “Epstein files”, are not charge sheets or verdicts. They are raw legal material: emails, contact lists, depositions and recollections that map who crossed paths with Epstein or his long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Yet once such papers enter the public domain, names acquire a life of their own. For Indian readers, the disclosures have had a particular resonance. A handful of Indian and Indian-origin
figures — spanning cinema, spirituality and big business — have appeared in different contexts within these documents. Their mentions vary widely: Attendance at a party, a brief exchange of messages, or a discussion on geopolitics. None of these references, it bears repeating, amount to accusations of criminal conduct. But in the age of searchable PDFs and social media screenshots, context is everything — and often the first casualty. Below is a closer look at the Indian names that surfaced, what the documents actually say, and why caution matters when reading them.
Understanding The Epstein Files Before Reading The Names
Before diving into individuals, it is worth pausing on what these files are — and what they are not. The documents were released by the United States Department of Justice following court orders linked to civil litigation. They include unverified emails, third-party recollections and partial communications. Legal experts in the US have repeatedly stressed that appearing in these records does not imply involvement in Epstein’s crimes.
A trivia point often missed: Epstein maintained thousands of contacts, many of whom interacted with him once or twice in professional or social settings. The files record presence, not guilt.
Mira Nair: A Film Party And A Paper Trail
The most widely discussed Indian name in the latest tranche is filmmaker Mira Nair, known internationally for films that bridge continents and cultures. According to the documents, an email referenced her attendance at a party hosted at Ghislaine Maxwell’s townhouse in New York. The
gathering was described as an after-party linked to the promotion of Nair’s 2009 film Amelia. The email — written by a third party and reproduced verbatim in the files — listed several high-profile attendees, including former US President Bill Clinton and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The message’s tone was casual, even gossipy, noting reactions to the film and the oddity of elite social events. What the files do not suggest is any further interaction beyond this social appearance. There is no allegation, no follow-up correspondence, and no indication of impropriety linked to Nair. Film industry historians point out that such post-screening gatherings are routine in New York’s cultural circuit, particularly for internationally backed projects.
Deepak Chopra: A Brief Digital Exchange
Another familiar name is Deepak Chopra, the Indian-American author and public speaker whose work on wellness has found a global audience. The
files indicate that Epstein contacted Chopra in 2016, sending him a news link related to a civil lawsuit that had just been withdrawn. The exchange, according to the documents, went no further. There was no extended conversation, no meeting recorded, and no subsequent correspondence. Legal analysts note that Epstein frequently attempted to insert himself into topical discussions as a way of maintaining relevance among influential figures.
An often-overlooked detail: Many people who received such messages did not respond at all. The files capture outgoing communication, not necessarily engagement.
Anil Ambani: Geopolitics, Not Parties
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion for Indian readers was Anil Ambani, the businessman once ranked among the world’s wealthiest. His
mention appears in the context of a discussion touching on India–Israel relations and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in 2017. The reference, first reported by Drop Site News, suggests a conversation of geopolitical interest rather than social proximity. There is no indication of Ambani attending events hosted by Epstein or Maxwell, nor any personal association detailed in the files.
Trivia worth noting: Epstein often positioned himself as an informal geopolitical commentator, despite having no official role. Several experts have described this as part of his strategy to stay connected to powerful networks.