Streaming platform Netflix on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that the film Ghooskhor Pandat will be renamed, Live Law reported.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav was also told that all the promotional material for the film had been taken down. The court was hearing a petition seeking directions to stay the release of the film on Netflix.
The petition was filed amid a row that erupted after Netflix on February 3 released its slate of films and series for 2026. A teaser for Ghooskhor Pandat, directed by Neeraj Panday and Ritesh Shah, was also released.
The film, starring Manoj Bajpayee, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Shraddha Das, was criticised by some groups for its title that allegedly vilified the Brahmin community.
The use of the word “pandat”, associated with the Brahmin community and also meaning a priest, with “ghooskhor”, a term for someone who accepts bribes, sparked the uproar.
The Uttar Pradesh Police had also filed a first information report against the makers of the film for allegedly hurting public sentiments and disturbing social harmony.
During the hearing in the High Court on Tuesday, the petitioner claimed that the title of the film was communally offensive, and could cause harm to the dignity and reputation of the Brahmin community, Bar and Bench reported.
The counsel for Netflix told the court that the producers of the film had decided to change its title to something that would more accurately reflect its narrative and intent.
The film was a reformative fictional police drama, the counsel said, adding that the earlier title Ghooskhor Pandat had led to unintended interruptions that did not align with its content.
The counsel also said that the film was at the editing stage.
The court noted that the producer had taken a “conscious decision” in light of the concerns raised against the title of the film, Live Law reported. The judge disposed of the petition, noting that nothing more was required to be adjudicated.
In light of the controversy, Pandey said on Friday that the film was a fictional police drama, adding that the term “pandat” had been “used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character”.
The story focused on a character’s actions and choices, and did not comment on or represent any caste, religion or community, the director had said in a statement.
Pandey had also said that in light of the concerns raised about the film, his team had “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”.
Bajpayee had said in a statement that he respected the emotions and concerns shared about the film, adding that he took them seriously. The actor also said that the film was not meant to be a comment about any community.
Just 0.2% of readers pay for news. The others don’t care if it dies. You can help make a difference. Support independent journalism – join Scroll now.
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!