Explained: Deepak Chopra, Epstein Files, and questions swirling around the spiritual icon
Deepak Chopra is one of dozens of prominent figures, including politicians, billionaires, celebrities, and academics, whose names have surfaced in the Epstein documents.
A new batch of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has ensnared another high-profile name: Deepak Chopra, the world-renowned Indian-American author and spiritual guru. The alleged connections, detailed in a recent CNN report, have sparked online controversy and forced the best selling author to issue a public statement.
Who is Deepak Chopra?
Deepak Chopra, according to his publisher HarperCollins, is the founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing and is “acknowledged as one of the master teachers of Eastern philosophy in the Western world.” A prolific author of over sixty books, with more than a dozen New York Times bestsellers such as “Buddha” and “God,” Chopra has built a global empire centered on holistic health, mindfulness, and spirituality.
The controversy stems from the ongoing release of millions of pages of documents from the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a financier who pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a minor for prostitution and was later indicted in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges before his death in jail. The documents have revealed a network of powerful associates, friends, and acquaintances, leading to public scrutiny of anyone whose name appears.
Chopra’s alleged connections
According to the CNN report based on the newly released files, Chopra’s name appears in several email exchanges with Epstein. The report says that in 2016, Epstein emailed Chopra wondering if actor Leonardo DiCaprio “would want to have dinner with Woody,” referring to filmmaker Woody Allen. Chopra reportedly replied, “I can certainly ask him if he is around.”
CNN also noted that Chopra and Epstein “corresponded frequently,” exchanging news articles and setting up meetings. One planned 2017 dinner included Epstein, Woody Allen, and a Slovakian foreign minister, which Chopra could not attend. Another 2016 exchange touched on Donald Trump’s former wife, Marla Maples.
Separately, unverified and sensational claims have circulated on social media, alleging Chopra sent emails to Epstein with statements like “God is a construct. Cute girls are real.”
As per The Juggernaut, there are 4,104 mentions of “Deepak” in the Epstein Files.
Chopra’s response
In wake of the reports, Chopra issued a statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) addressing the controversy. He expressed being “deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims” and unequivocally condemned “abuse and exploitation in all forms.”
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He clearly said: “I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity.” He acknowledged that some past email exchanges “reflect poor judgment in tone” and expressed regret for how they read today, given what is now known about Epstein.
I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case, and I unequivocally condemn abuse and exploitation in all forms.
I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and…
Chopra is one of dozens of prominent figures, including politicians, billionaires, celebrities, and academics, whose names have surfaced in the Epstein documents. For most, inclusion does not imply criminal activity or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, but it has led to intense public and media examination of their judgments and associations.
Aishwarya Khosla is a key editorial figure at The Indian Express, where she spearheads and manages the Books & Literature and Puzzles & Games sections, driving content strategy and execution. Aishwarya's specialty lies in book reviews, literary criticism and cultural commentary. She also pens long-form feature articles where she focuses on the complex interplay of culture, identity, and politics.
She is a proud recipient of The Nehru Fellowship in Politics and Elections. This fellowship required intensive study and research into political campaigns, policy analysis, political strategy, and communications, directly informing the analytical depth of her cultural commentary.
As the dedicated author of The Indian Express newsletters, Meanwhile, Back Home and Books 'n' Bits, Aishwarya provides consistent, curated, and trusted insights directly to the readership. She also hosts the podcast series Casually Obsessed. Her established role and her commitment to examining complex societal themes through a nuanced lens ensure her content is a reliable source of high-quality literary and cultural journalism.
Her extensive background across eight years also includes previous roles at Hindustan Times, where she provided dedicated coverage of politics, books, theatre, broader culture, and the Punjabi diaspora.
Write to her at aishwaryakhosla.ak@gmail.com or aishwarya.khosla@indianexpress.com. You can follow her on Instagram:
@aishwarya.khosla, and X: @KhoslaAishwarya. ... Read More
