New Delhi: Hours after an FIR was registered on Friday in Lucknow against him and team members of the upcoming film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat‘ for hurting religious and caste sentiments, director Neeraj Pandey said he was taking down promotional material while maintaining that the film does not represent any caste.
According to the police, the action was taken in line with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s instructions to ensure strict action against any attempt to hurt religious or caste sentiments and disturb public peace.
An FIR has been registered at Hazratganj police station against the film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ being shown on Netflix. The case was filed against the film director, producer, and entire team under Sections 196, 299, 352, 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant sections of the IT Act.
Pandey took to social media platform Instagram and clarified that the Netflix movie is a “work of fiction” and “does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community.”
The Netflix movie starring Manoj Bajpayee had sparked outrage among various groups, with a number of seers writing a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to look into the issue, which, they alleged, demeans the Brahmin community and shows them in a bad light.
Former chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, too, criticized the movie and demanded that the Centre immediately impose a ban on what she termed a “casteist” movie.
Taking to X, the BSP supremo termed it a matter of great sorrow and concern that, not only in UP alone in recent times, but now even in films, ‘Pandit’ is being portrayed as a bribe-taker and so on, leading to the insult and disrespect of them across the entire country, which has currently spread intense anger throughout the entire Brahmin community.
“Our party also strongly condemns this. The Central Government should immediately impose a ban on such a caste-indicating film (web series) ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’; this is the demand of the B.S.P. At the same time, registering an FIR by the Lucknow Police in this regard is an appropriate step,” she added.
Lauding the efforts of the chief minister, Union Minister Satish Chandra Dubey said: “The decision to remove the film being made by director Neeraj Pandey with the intent to insult and defame the Brahmin society is highly commendable and historic. This film was yet another attempt at the humiliation and character assassination of the Brahmin society under the guise of creativity, which cannot be accepted at any cost.”
He further said that the “vile trend of deliberately portraying the Pandit society as criminals, conspirators, and in a negative light in films and web series must now be stopped right here. This is not just an attack on one society, but a conspiracy to spread caste-based animosity, which works to fracture the country’s social unity.”
The Union minister said the Brahmin society has always provided direction to nation-building, culture, and the tradition of knowledge, and “targeting it repeatedly will not be tolerated in any form.” “For this swift and firm decision, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to the accomplished Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the entire administration.”
Earlier, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal had written to Netflix criticizing the title of the movie and asking the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to take action.
“Dear @NetflixIndia It’s totally unacceptable. Through the name of the series, you are not only attacking the most respectable segment of our Hindu society but also trying to spread hatred and unrest in the country. STOP IT FORTHWITH AND APOLOGISE otherwise Hindu society will be forced to take democratic action against your such repeated attempts. @CPMumbaiPolice @HMOIndia @MIB_India to please look at it,” Bansal posted on X.
Soon after the teaser of the movie was released, a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court by a petitioner, Vineet Jindal, seeking a stay on its release, terming the title and content as defamatory, insulting, and offensive to the Brahmins.
The movie director, meanwhile, said the term ‘Pandat’ was 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,” Pandey wrote in a note.
“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,” Pandey added. “We look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee also issued a statement, saying that the filmmakers have decided to take down the promotional material in light of the public sentiment. “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…This was not meant to be a statement about any community,” he posted on X.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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