Examples and Related News: Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy

The recently released Bollywood film, Ghooskhor Pandat, has been embroiled in controversy since its release. As you might have guessed from the movie’s title, the reason for the controversy is quite evident. If you’ve figured it out, you’re right; the film’s title itself is the biggest reason for the controversy. 

The controversy surrounding Ghuskhore Pandit highlights the growing sensitivity surrounding caste and creative freedom in the Indian OTT space. With political reactions, legal scrutiny, and industry criticism, the film has become the focal point of a larger debate on freedom of expression versus social responsibility.

Political Backlash Intensifies in Uttar Pradesh

The controversy surrounding the OTT film “Ghooskor Pandat” (Bribing Priest) has now entered the political arena, with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) national president Mayawati strongly condemning the film’s title and the alleged portrayal of Brahmins within it.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), BSP chief Mayawati termed the film “casteist” and accused it of insulting the Brahmin community by depicting priests as corrupt. Mayawati demanded an immediate ban on the film and supported the filing of an FIR against the film’s director and creative team in Lucknow.

According to her statement, the Indian Brahmin community is angered by such films, and this could lead to increased social tension. Political analysts believe that Mayawati’s stance is part of her recent efforts to woo upper-caste voters, particularly Brahmins, ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. However, this move by Mayawati could have significant repercussions.

Cine Workers’ Union Objects to Film Title

The Western India Cine Employees Federation officially objected to the film’s title, further escalating tensions surrounding the movie’s name. The title was described as “insulting, offensive, and detrimental to social harmony.”

In a formal letter addressed to OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, ZEE5, and SonyLIV, FWICE stated that the film targets a specific community and portrays their traditional identity in a negative light.

The union also wrote to prominent industry bodies such as the Producers Guild of India, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association, and the Indian Film and Television Producers Council, urging them not to register or allow the release of films with such provocative titles that demean any particular community.

FWICE warned that if the title is not withdrawn, a directive for non-cooperation could be issued against the producers and the filmmakers involved.

Legal Action and Calls for a Ban

When the Ghooskhor Pandat movie faced online criticism, the situation quickly escalated into a legal matter. According to reports, a writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the film’s proposed release. The petition argues that the movie’s title and promotional material are defamatory, and ethnically, socially, and communally offensive.

BN Tiwari, President of FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees), stated that the union is demanding not only a change in the movie’s title but also a complete ban on the film. He argued that such content is unacceptable in the current social climate and could hurt public sentiment. He also called for mandatory registration of OTT titles to prevent similar controversies in the future and to curb the use of movie titles that violate social and ethnic sensitivities.

Makers and Cast Respond to Public Sentiment

This film was produced by Neeraj Pandey under the Friday Filmworks banner and stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role of a corrupt police officer named Ajay Dixit, who is also known as “Pandit” in the film, and after whom the movie is titled.

When the controversy surrounding the film began, the director responded to the criticism, acknowledging that the film’s title had offended a section of the audience. To rectify this, he announced that all promotional material for the film would be temporarily removed.

Manoj Bajpayee also issued a public statement expressing his respect for the concerns raised. He clarified that his decision to take on the role was based on the character’s story and was not intended to make any comment on any community. He further stated that when a creative work unintentionally causes hurt, it is important to pause and listen.

Protests Continue Across States

The controversy surrounding this film originated in Uttar Pradesh. Now, protests against the movie have erupted in both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where some Brahmin organizations have demanded a ban on the film due to its title. According to some reports, effigies of the filmmakers and the lead actor have been burned in several locations. Despite all this, neither the film’s producers nor the OTT platform have yet issued a final statement regarding changing the movie’s title or its release timeline.