Bawal over ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ movie on Netflix: WATCH TRAILER

Protests against the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat intensified across several Indian cities, with demonstrators burning effigies of actor Manoj Bajpayee and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey. Groups allege the film’s title insults the Brahmin community and are demanding a ban.

The controversy surrounding the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat has escalated beyond online criticism, triggering street protests in multiple cities. Demonstrators have accused the film’s title of being offensive to the Brahmin community, leading to effigy burnings and demands for a ban on both the movie and the streaming platform.

In Prayagraj, members of the Rashtriya Parshuram Sena staged a protest at Subhash Chowk on Friday. Protesters burned effigies of producer Neeraj Pandey, writer-director Ritesh Shah, and lead actor Manoj Bajpayee. The group alleged that the film was made with the intention of targeting Hindus and Brahmins, claiming the title links a respected community identity with corruption.

Similar protests were reported in Indore, where members of the Brahmin community demonstrated against the film. Effigies of Netflix and Manoj Bajpayee were set ablaze as protestors demanded that authorities prevent the film’s release. Some demonstrators issued strong warnings, threatening to blacken the faces of Bajpayee and Pandey if their concerns were not addressed. They also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to intervene and stop the film from being screened.

At the heart of the controversy is the term “Pandat,” a colloquial word associated with Brahmins or Hindu priests, paired with “ghooskhor,” meaning corrupt. Protesters argue that this combination portrays the community in a negative light and hurts religious and caste sentiments.

The film, described as a thriller, features Manoj Bajpayee in the role of a corrupt police officer nicknamed Pandat. In response to the backlash, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey issued a statement clarifying that the story is not aimed at any community and that the character’s name is fictional within the narrative context. He also said that promotional material for the film, including the first-look teaser, was being withdrawn amid the controversy.

Political reactions have also emerged. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly welcomed the decision to remove promotional content and claimed that it was done following directions from the Centre. Meanwhile, legal action has been initiated in Uttar Pradesh. An FIR has been registered in Lucknow against the filmmakers on charges related to hurting religious and caste sentiments.

Ghooskhor Pandat was slated for release on Netflix later this year, though no official release date had been announced. With protests intensifying and legal proceedings underway, the film’s future remains uncertain.