In a decisive ruling, the Supreme Court of India has put an end to the uproar surrounding the film ‘Ghooskhhor Pandit,’ granting significant relief to its makers. The apex court not only disposed of the pending petition but also issued clear directives prohibiting any new FIRs or hearings related to the movie.
During Thursday’s proceedings, a bench led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti emphasized closure on the matter. The court instructed that all disputes linked to the film be terminated immediately, refusing to entertain fresh petitions. This development comes after weeks of backlash triggered by the film’s provocative title and promotional materials.
The filmmakers, including lead actor Manoj Bajpayee, had submitted an affidavit assuring the court of no intent to offend any religion, caste, or community. They described the project as a fictional police drama centered on a crime investigation, devoid of any portrayal tarnishing specific groups. In a key concession, they confirmed withdrawing the original title, posters, trailers, and all related publicity, with a new name yet to be announced.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had sharply reprimanded the team for potentially targeting a community under the guise of free speech. ‘Freedom of expression does not permit degrading any particular class,’ the bench had remarked, prompting swift removal of offending materials. Bajpayee himself took to social media to apologize, clarifying his aim was entertainment, not hurt sentiments.
This resolution allows the film to potentially move forward rebranded, highlighting the judiciary’s role in balancing artistic liberty with social harmony. As anticipation builds for the new title reveal, the episode underscores the sensitivities around cultural representations in Indian cinema.