‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ Row: Delhi High Court Closes Case After Title Change Assurance

Controversy has been brewing since the announcement of Manoj Bajpayee's upcoming film 'Ghooskhor Pandit'. The controversy centers on the title of the film, which carries the word 'Pandit.' The case was brought before the Delhi High Court after the issue gained enough public outcry. The FMC had also demanded a ban on the film. However, the filmmakers have made a significant decision regarding this case. It was informed to the court by Netflix that the filmmakers have decided to change the title of the film.

The Delhi High Court today took up a plea to stop the release and streaming of the movie "Ghooskhor Pandit." The plea stated that the title and content of the movie were defamatory and objectionable. In the course of the hearing, Netflix informed the court that the makers of the movie "Ghuskhor Pandit" were ready to change the title of the movie. The OTT platform assured the court that the makers were going to change the film's title and that all promotional material related to the film had already been removed from social media. Following this, the court dismissed the matter.

Noting Netflix's decision to change the title and remove promotional material, the single-judge bench of Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav stated that there was no justification for further orders on the petition. Netflix and the makers agreed to change the film's name. Based on this, the matter is considered settled.

In the petition filed with the court, the petitioner stated that the film's title, "Ghuskhor Pandit," tarnishes the image of Hindu priests and a particular community and could be socially and communally inflammatory. The petition sought an immediate stay on the film's release and online streaming.

Advocate Vineet Jindal challenged the release of the film "Ghuskhor Pandit." He called the title defamatory and communally offensive. He accused the makers of deliberately associating the word "Pandit" with corruption and bribery, thereby damaging the reputation of the Brahmin community. Furthermore, petitioner Mahendra Chaturvedi also stated in the writ petition that the word "Pandit" is historically, culturally, and religiously associated with the Brahmin community and acharyas. The word symbolizes scholarship, ethical conduct, spiritual guidance, and moral authority. However, the controversial title was used to defame an entire religious and social community.

"Ghuskhor Pandit," produced by Neeraj Pandey, stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role. The film also stars Divya Dutta, Nusrat Bharucha, Saqib Saleem, Shraddha Das, Akshay Oberoi, and Kiku Sharda in pivotal roles. Manoj Bajpayee plays a corrupt police officer in the film. The film is scheduled to release on the OTT platform Netflix.