The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has voiced strong objections to the title of the upcoming Netflix film, "Ghooskhor Pandat," deeming it offensive and casteist. The film, which stars Manoj Bajpayee as a corrupt police officer, has sparked widespread controversy since its announcement.
The VHP's national spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, condemned the film's title as an attack on a "most respectable" segment of Hindu society, urging government intervention. Bansal stated that the title not only targets a specific segment of Hindu society but also attempts to spread hatred and unrest within the country. He demanded that Netflix immediately remove the film and issue an apology, warning of potential "democratic action" from the Hindu community if these demands are not met.
The controversy surrounding "Ghooskhor Pandat" has escalated rapidly, drawing criticism from various political figures and organizations. Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief, Mayawati, also condemned the title, calling for a ban on the film. Mayawati expressed "great sorrow and concern" over the portrayal of the term "pandit" in a negative light, which she believes insults and disrespects the entire Brahmin community.
In response to the growing uproar, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken legal action, ordering the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the film's director. The FIR, filed at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, cites charges of attempting to spread social discord, hurting religious and caste sentiments, and disturbing public peace and law and order. According to police officials, the film's title and promotional material were found to be objectionable at first glance, with the FIR explicitly mentioning the aspect of caste-based insult, alleging that the film's title was deliberately chosen to target and insult the Brahmin community. The government also stated that the film's promotion is aimed at "disturbing social harmony".
Amidst the backlash, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey and actor Manoj Bajpayee have issued clarifications, stating that the film's story is about a flawed individual and is not intended to be offensive to any caste or community. They also announced the withdrawal of all publicity material related to the movie.
The central government has reportedly asked Netflix to remove the teaser and other promotional content of the film from social media. A senior BJP leader stated that such content, which is perceived as being against any society, is completely unacceptable.
Adding to the film's woes, the Film Makers Combine (FMC), a Mumbai-based organization, has raised objections to the title, alleging a violation of protocol. The FMC claims that the title had neither been applied for nor granted according to the association's records. The organization has warned the production house, Friday Story Tellers, of potential disciplinary actions and has urged Netflix to refrain from using the title. Furthermore, a writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking to halt the release of "Ghooskhor Pandat" on the grounds that the title and content are defamatory and communal.
Netflix has yet to release a statement regarding the controversy or the legal actions taken against the film. The film is directed by Ritesh Shah, who also penned the story with Pandey. The crime thriller revolves around Ajay Dikshit, a corrupt police officer, played by Manoj Bajpayee, who finds himself embroiled in a global conspiracy.
This incident is not the first time Netflix has faced such issues. Earlier, the streaming platform removed Nayanthara's film "Annapoorani" after Hindu groups raised concerns about its content being "anti-Hindu".