The Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat, produced by Neeraj Pandey and starring Manoj Bajpayee, made headlines for all the wrong reasons following backlash over its title. Social media heavily slammed the makers for choosing a title that allegedly defames the Brahmin community. Following the title reveal, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) recently demanded a ban on the film, but now a new update has emerged.
It has now been reported that the makers of the Manoj Bajpayee starrer Ghooskhor Pandat have informed the Delhi High Court that they have taken a conscious decision to change the name of their film. This decision comes following multiple FIRs, growing social media pressure, and calls for a ban from across the country.
Writ petition against Manoj Bajpayee’s film
A writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the show’s proposed release, claiming that its title and promotional content are defamatory and communally sensitive. Parallelly, political protests have erupted in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with members of Brahmin organisations demanding a ban and accusing the project of targeting a particular community. In Uttar Pradesh, an FIR has been registered against the director, and effigies of the filmmakers and Bajpayee have been burnt at several locations.
About the Ghooskhor Pandat controversy
At the centre of the row is the title Ghooskhor Pandat, which loosely translates to ‘Corrupt Pandit’. Critics argue that the use of the term ‘Pandat’, commonly associated with a Brahmin surname, reinforces negative stereotypes and is potentially offensive.
Manoj Bajpayee and Neeraj Pandey on the backlash
Responding to the backlash, Manoj Bajpayee addressed the issue on social media on Friday, acknowledging the concerns raised. “When something you are part of causes hurt, it makes you pause and listen," he wrote. He clarified that his decision to take on the project was based on the character’s arc and was not intended as commentary on any community. He also stated that the makers had removed promotional material in view of public sentiment.
Director Neeraj Pandey, who is attached to the project along with Ritesh Shah, later issued a clarification on Instagram, stressing that the series is entirely fictional. “Our film is a fictional cop drama, and the term ‘Pandat’ is used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community," he stated. The production team also maintained that the promotional content had been withdrawn voluntarily, even before the government directive.
