The upcoming Netflix crime thriller "Ghooskhor Pandat," starring Manoj Bajpayee and backed by Neeraj Pandey, has found itself embroiled in controversy following its announcement on February 3, 2026. The film's title has drawn criticism, with some viewers claiming it is derogatory towards the Brahmin community.

The film centers around Ajay Dikshit, a corrupt police officer infamously known as "Pandat," whose plans for a lucrative night are disrupted when he becomes entangled in a global conspiracy while investigating a young woman found injured in Delhi. The cast includes Nushrratt Bharuccha, Divya Dutta, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, and others. Ritesh Shah directs the film, with Neeraj Pandey credited as the writer.

The backlash against "Ghooskhor Pandat" quickly escalated, leading to a petition being filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on its release. Advocate Vineet Jindal, the petitioner, argued that the film's title and promotional material deliberately associate the term "Pandat" with corruption and bribery, thus tarnishing the reputation of the Brahmin community. The plea contends that the film could incite "collective defamation and hate speech," potentially disrupting communal harmony and public order. It also argues that the content violates Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution of India and that freedom of speech doesn't extend to hate speech. The petitioner has urged the Centre to take action against Netflix.

While Neeraj Pandey has not issued an official statement, sources close to the production indicate that he has decided to halt promotional activities for "Ghooskhor Pandat" until the matter is resolved. This decision comes amid growing calls for a boycott of the film and Netflix itself. The film's team has not yet officially responded to the legal suit.

The controversy surrounding "Ghooskhor Pandat" highlights the increasing sensitivity surrounding representation and potential stereotyping of communities in Indian cinema. It remains to be seen how the Delhi High Court will rule on the petition and whether the filmmakers will make any changes to the film in response to the concerns raised. Netflix has unveiled a slate of films for 2026, including "Ghooskhor Pandat".