Manoj Bajpayee finally breaks silence on Ghooskhor Pandat controversy: "Film is about one man’s journey, not a statement about any community"

Manoj Bajpayee finally breaks silence on Ghooskhor Pandat controversy: "Film is about one man’s journey, not a statement about any community"

• Netflix pulled teaser for Ghooskhor Pandat after backlash over its title
• Manoj Bajpayee clarified the film isn't meant to target any community
• FIR filed against the film's team; release date not yet announced

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Netflix has taken down the teaser of its upcoming crime thriller Ghooskhor Pandat, starring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead, following objections raised by a section of brahmin community.

The controversy erupted after the film’s title was alleged to be communally offensive and defamatory, prompting legal action and strong reactions online.

Responding to the backlash, Manoj Bajpayee issued a clarification on X after resharing a statement released by the film’s writer-producer Neeraj Pandey. The actor said he respects the emotions expressed by audiences and stressed that the film’s title was never intended to target or make a statement about any community.

“When something you are part of causes hurt to some people, it makes you pause and listen,” Bajpayee wrote. He added that every concern is taken seriously and acknowledged the responsibility that comes with storytelling in a diverse society.

Explaining his association with the project, Bajpayee said his decision to sign the film was driven purely by the character and the narrative. “When I sign a film, it is always the character and the story that draw me in,” he noted. Describing his role in Ghooskhor Pandat, the actor clarified that the character is a deeply flawed individual whose journey revolves around self-realisation, not community representation.

“The film is about one man’s journey and not a statement about any community,” he emphasised, while also praising Neeraj Pandey for handling the situation with sensitivity. Bajpayee concluded by stating that the decision to pull down the promotional assets “reflects the seriousness with which the concerns are being taken.”

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The controversy intensified after a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court, claiming that the term ‘Pandat’ (or Pandit) in the title deliberately associates corruption and bribery with a recognised religious and social designation. Advocate Vineet Jindal, representing the petitioner, sought a stay on the film’s release on Netflix, alleging that the content is of a “communally offensive and defamatory nature” and could harm the dignity of the Brahmin community.

The plea further argued that the film could lead to “collective defamation and hate speech,” potentially disturbing communal harmony and public order. According to the petition, the title allegedly maligns an entire community by linking it to corruption in the public imagination.

In a significant development, an FIR has been registered at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow against director Ritesh Shah and members of the film’s team. The case was filed following directions from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Ghooskhor Pandat also stars Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi and Divya Dutta. The film’s release date is yet to be announced.