Ghooskhor Pandat row explained: Here’s everything to know about Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee’s cop drama controversy

Ghooskhor Pandat row explained: After Neeraj Pandey’s clarification, actor Manoj Bajpayee has also addressed the title controversy. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming cop film...

Manoj Bajpayee in Ghooskhor Pandat

Netflix’s Ghooskhor Pandat has sparked a wave of backlash amid its controversial title, and the upcoming cop drama has also faced some legal trouble with FIR and a petition to hold its release. After Neeraj Pandey’s clarification, actor Manoj Bajpayee has also addressed the row. The filmmaker-actor duo has issued their statements on the title row and explained that it was never meant to target any community but is related solely to the fictional character. Here’s everything you need to know about the row.

Why Ghooskhor Pandat face backlash?

Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee’s cop drama film Ghooskhor Pandat has been making headlines ever since Netflix announced it with a gripping teaser. Ghooskhor Pandat erupted into a row for its controversial title that allegedly associated it with the Brahmin community. After a severe backlash and facing anger from the public, the movie has hit a pause. In a petition filed against the film, the petitioner urged the Delhi High Court authorities to hold its release as it hurt the sentiments of people and also can disrupt the social harmony and order.

Who filed an FIR against Ghooskhor Pandat?

Ghooskhor Pandat landed in legal trouble after UP CM Yogi Adityanath ordered to file an FIR against the makers and the crew for hurting the sentiments and causing social disruption. Soon after the FIR incident, Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee addressed their side of the story and claimed that the title does not refer to any community or target anyone but is solely fictional and based on the flawed character. For the unversed, the title includes the word ‘Ghooskhor,’ which refers to a person taking bribes and hence drew severe backlash over the defamatory term linked to the ‘Pandit’ community.

Also Read: Manoj Bajpayee’s Ghooskhor Pandat lands in legal trouble for its title? Here’s what we know

How Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee addressed the row?

On the morning of February 6, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey addressed the title row and issued a clarification through an Instagram post where he defended the title and revealed that the term "Pandat" is used as a colloquial name and is not related to any community or caste. He also expressed an apology for unintentionally hurting the sentiments of people and also took all the promotional material and teaser down from the internet.

He shared, "Our film is a fictional cop drama, and the term "Pandat" is used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community. As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility - to tell stories that are thoughtful and respectful. This film, like my earlier work, has been created with sincere intent and solely to entertain audiences. We understand that the title of the film has caused hurt to some viewers, and we genuinely acknowledge those feelings. In light of these concerns, we have decided to take down all promotional materials for the time being, as we believe the film should be experienced in its entirety and understood in the context of the story we intended to tell, rather than judged on partial glimpses. We look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon."

Following Neeraj’s clarification, actor Manoj Bajpayee also addressed the row with a special message, where he emphasized respecting everyone’s emotions. He also noted that the character of a corrupt cop is related to the narrative of the film and not meant for any community. He wrote, "I respect the emotions and concerns people have shared, and I take them seriously. When something you are part of causes hurt to some people, it makes you pause and listen. As an actor, I come to a film through the character and the story I am playing. For me, this was about portraying a flawed individual and his journey of self-realisation. This was not meant to be a statement about any community.

He expressed support for Neeraj Pandey for his artistic approach and highlighted the seriousness of the issue with the removed promo material. “In my experience of working with Neeraj Pandey, there has been a consistent seriousness and care in how he approaches his films. The filmmakers have decided to take down the promotional material in light of the public sentiment. This reflects the seriousness with which the concerns are being taken," added the Satya actor.

Meanwhile, the teaser of Ghooskhor has vanished from the internet amid the title row. For the unversed, Ghooskhor Pandat narrates a tale of a corrupt cop who unwittingly gets tangled in a larger conspiracy that changes his life forever after a fateful encounter with a woman.

Ghooskhor Pandit FAQs:

Q. Who plays the titular lead in Ghooskhor Pandat?

A. Manoj Bajpayee headlines Ghooskhor Pandat as a corrupt cop who gets entangled with an injured woman and explores a larger conspiracy.

Q. Why is Ghooskhor Pandat teaser deleted?

A. Ghooskhor Pandat teaser has been removed from YouTube and Netflix handle after the title row and legal trouble faced by the movie.

Q. Why is Ghooskhor Pandat facing a backlash?

A. Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee's Ghooskhor Pandat faced backlash for its derogatory title that intends to hurt the sentiments of a certain group. Following the announcement of the film, a petition has been filed in Delhi High Court to put a stay on the release of the Netflix film.

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