In a significant development amid rising controversies, the Delhi High Court has directed Netflix to immediately remove all promotional materials related to the upcoming film ‘Ghuskhor Pandit’ starring Manoj Bajpayee. The order came during the hearing of a petition filed by advocate Vineet Jindal, who argued that the film’s title offends the dignity and sentiments of the Brahmin community.
The film, a fictional police drama directed by Neeraj Pandey, hit headlines shortly after its teaser dropped on Netflix. Protests erupted across several Indian states, with demands to ban the release due to the allegedly derogatory title. Jindal’s petition highlighted that ‘Ghuskhor Pandit’—translating to ‘Bribery Priest’—deliberately insults the Brahmin community by associating their traditional title with corruption.
Responding to the court’s directive, Neeraj Pandey issued a detailed statement on Instagram. He clarified that the term ‘Pandit’ is used solely as a colloquial name for a fictional character and does not represent or comment on any caste, religion, or community. ‘Our film focuses on an individual’s actions and choices, crafted with utmost responsibility to entertain audiences,’ Pandey wrote.
Pandey expressed empathy for the hurt sentiments, announcing the temporary withdrawal of all promos to allow viewers to judge the film in its entirety. While the exact release date remains undisclosed, the movie is set to stream directly on Netflix, skipping theaters amid the uproar.
This case underscores the growing sensitivity around cinematic representations of caste and community in India. Filmmakers now face heightened scrutiny, balancing creative freedom with cultural respect. As the controversy simmers, audiences await the full story behind the contentious title.