Ghooskhor Pandat Title Controversy Deepens: FIRs, Legal Notices and Makers Respond

Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat has found itself at the centre of an escalating controversy, barely days after its teaser was unveiled. What began as online criticism over the film’s title has now snowballed into multiple legal actions, police complaints, and formal notices—prompting the makers to withdraw all promotional material and issue public clarifications.

Backlash Over Title Sparks FIR in Lucknow

According to official police statements, an FIR has been registered at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow against the makers of Ghooskhor Pandat. The complaint alleges that the film’s title hurts religious and caste sentiments and poses a threat to social harmony. Authorities stated that the title prima facie appears to insult a particular community by associating the colloquial term “Pandat” with corruption.

The FIR was lodged following complaints from members of the Brahmin community and social organisations, who expressed anger over what they see as a deliberate attempt to stereotype and malign their identity. Police officials confirmed that the action aligns with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s zero-tolerance policy toward content that could disturb communal peace.

Legal Challenges Expand to Delhi High Court

Parallel legal proceedings are underway in Delhi, where a writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the film’s release and streaming. Filed by Mahender Chaturvedi through advocate Vineet Jindal, the petition claims the title is defamatory and communally offensive.

The plea argues that linking the term “Pandat”—traditionally associated with scholarship and spiritual guidance—with bribery and moral compromise causes irreversible harm to the dignity and reputation of the Brahmin community. The petitioner has also sought directions against Netflix India and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to halt the film’s release.

NHRC and Film Body Enter the Picture

Adding to the film’s troubles, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting after receiving a complaint alleging that the title promotes caste-based stereotypes and discriminatory content.

Separately, the Film Makers Combine (FMC), a Mumbai-based industry body, has issued notices to producer Neeraj Pandey’s banner Friday Story Tellers LLP as well as Netflix. FMC claims that the title *Ghooskhor Pandat* was never applied for or authorised under industry regulations. The organisation warned of possible disciplinary action and urged Netflix to refrain from using the title.

Makers Pull Promotions, Issue Clarifications

In response to the growing backlash, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey released a public statement acknowledging that the title has hurt some viewers. He clarified that Ghooskhor Pandat is a fictional cop drama and that “Pandat” is merely a nickname for a character, not a reference to any caste or community.

Pandey announced that all promotional materials—including the teaser released during Netflix’s Next on Netflix 2026 event—have been taken down temporarily. He emphasised that the film should be experienced in its entirety before being judged and reiterated his commitment to responsible storytelling.

Manoj Bajpayee: “This Was Never About a Community”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee also addressed the controversy through a statement on social media, expressing respect for the sentiments of those who felt hurt. He clarified that his role focuses on portraying a flawed individual on a journey of self-realisation and was never intended as a comment on any community.

Bajpayee added that his long-standing collaboration with Neeraj Pandey has always been rooted in seriousness and care, and supported the decision to withdraw promotional content in light of public sentiment.

What the Film Is About

Ghooskhor Pandat stars Manoj Bajpayee as Ajay Dixit, a morally compromised and corrupt police officer nicknamed “Pandat.” The story reportedly unfolds over the course of a single night and also features Nushrat Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, Divya Dutta, Shraddha Das and Kiku Sharda.

Written by Neeraj Pandey and Ritesh Shah, the film marks Shah’s directorial debut and is part of Netflix India’s upcoming slate. While it was initially slated for release later this year, no official premiere date has been announced amid the ongoing controversy.

What Lies Ahead

With FIRs filed, court petitions pending, regulatory objections raised and promotional material withdrawn, the future of Ghooskhor Pandat remains uncertain. Whether the makers will opt for a title change, legal resolution, or further clarification will likely determine when—and how—the film eventually reaches audiences.

For now, the controversy underscores the increasingly complex intersection of creative expression, social sensitivity and regulatory scrutiny in India’s OTT space.