The controversy surrounding Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming film ‘Ghussor Pandit’ refuses to die down. Just days after the Supreme Court reprimanded the makers and ordered a title change, a fresh complaint has been filed against the movie in Jabalpur’s district court.
Scriptwriter, film artist, and astrologer Pandit Vaibhav Pathak lodged the petition, arguing that the title is derogatory and defamatory to the Brahmin community. The complaint names film producer Neeraj Pandey, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, and other content officials as proposed accused.
During the hearing, statements are scheduled to be recorded on February 20 in the court of the First Class Judicial Magistrate. The court proceedings are underway, with the next hearing set to clarify the legal path ahead.
This development follows the Supreme Court’s sharp observations on February 12. The apex court questioned the use of ‘Pandit’ in the title, emphasizing that freedom of expression does not permit targeting any community. It directed the makers to file an affidavit clarifying that the title does not insult any social group and mandated a title change before release.
The production team has already removed all promotional materials, including posters and teasers, from social media and Netflix platforms. While no new title has been announced, the film is now entangled in yet another legal tangle even before its potential relaunch.
As the makers scramble to comply with judicial orders, the future of ‘Ghussor Pandit’ hangs in balance. Will they reemerge with a sanitized title, or will prolonged litigation shelve the project indefinitely? The coming weeks will reveal the outcome of this escalating row.