A storm has erupted around the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat, starring Manoj Bajpayee, after its title ignited sharp political backlash in Uttar Pradesh. The controversy escalated rapidly on Friday when the Yogi Adityanath government ordered the registration of an FIR against director Neeraj Pandey, while the Centre directed Netflix to remove the film’s trailer from its platform.
The outrage centres on the film’s title, which critics say carries casteist overtones. The word “Pandat” is closely associated with the Brahmin community, and several organisations alleged that linking it with corruption was a deliberate insult. What began as a cultural dispute soon turned political, with accusations of caste targeting dominating public discourse — a twist made more contentious by the fact that Pandey himself is a Brahmin.
The FIR was registered at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on charges of attempting to spread social discord, hurting religious and caste sentiments, and disturbing public peace and law and order. The complaint was filed by Station House Officer Vikram Singh, who stated that the film’s title and promotional push appeared, prima facie, to insult a particular caste.
In an official statement, the Uttar Pradesh government cited “widespread anger” among members of the Brahmin community and various social groups. Authorities claimed multiple organisations had warned of aggressive protests if the film proceeded under its current title, raising concerns over potential law-and-order breakdowns. Based on these inputs, the state moved swiftly to initiate legal action.
Police, in a separate press note, said the promotional content suggested an intent to disrupt communal harmony and create social unrest. Officials added that further action would be determined after examining evidence, promotional material, and applicable legal provisions during the course of the investigation.
The controversy has also drawn intervention from within the film fraternity. A Mumbai-based organisation, Film Makers Combine (FMC), issued a notice to the film’s production house and Netflix, urging restraint and sensitivity in the use of the title, warning that it could inflame social tensions.
The flashpoint comes amid an already charged atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh, with ongoing protests related to recently notified UGC equity regulations. With legal proceedings underway and the trailer taken down, Ghooskhor Pandat now finds itself at the centre of a larger debate — where creative freedom, caste identity, and state authority collide in the most explosive way possible.