Netflix has taken down the teaser and all promotional material of filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s upcoming project Ghooskhor Pandat after massive backlash over its title, triggering political reactions, legal action, and statements from the film’s core team. The controversy escalated after the ruling BJP claimed that the Centre intervened and asked the OTT giant to remove the content, calling it offensive and unacceptable.
Centre steps in after outrage over teaser
According to PTI, BJP leaders said the Central government acted swiftly following public outrage and asked Netflix to remove the teaser and other promotional materials related to Ghooskhor Pandat from its platform and all public domains.
“Taking swift action in the matter, the Centre has asked Netflix to remove the teaser and all other promotional content of the film. Such a kind of thing, which is against any society, is completely unacceptable,” a BJP leader said.
The teaser had already been pulled earlier this week after strong objections were raised on social media, particularly over the use of the word “Pandat” in the film’s title, which many claimed hurt religious sentiments.
BJP welcomes action, confirms FIR
Reacting to the development, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia praised the government’s intervention in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Writing in Hindi, he said the action sends a strong message against content that allegedly insults Sanatan Dharma.
“We wholeheartedly commend the Centre’s swift and decisive action! Offensive content, such as the derogatory film Ghooskhor Pandat, has not only been removed from the platform, but an FIR has also been registered in the case. This sends a clear message that insults to Sanatan Dharma will no longer be tolerated,” Bhatia wrote.
Multiple FIRs were reportedly filed following the film’s announcement earlier this week, adding to the pressure on the makers and the streaming platform.
Manoj Bajpayee breaks silence
Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who plays the lead in the film, addressed the controversy by sharing Neeraj Pandey’s statement on social media and adding his own clarification. The actor said he respects the emotions of those who felt hurt and insisted there was no intention to target any community.
“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,” Manoj wrote.
He further clarified that his role was limited to portraying a character’s journey. “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.”
Manoj also highlighted his long association with Neeraj Pandey, stating that the filmmaker has always been careful and responsible in his storytelling. He added that the decision to take down promotional material shows that the team is taking public sentiment seriously.
Neeraj Pandey calls film fictional, expresses regret
Director Neeraj Pandey also issued a statement following the registration of FIRs against the team. He clarified that Ghooskhor Pandat is a fictional cop drama and does not reflect or comment on any caste, religion, or community.
“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,” Neeraj said.
Acknowledging the hurt caused by the title, he added, “We understand that the title of the film has caused hurt to some viewers, and we genuinely acknowledge those feelings.” He also confirmed that all promotional material has been taken down for the time being.
Legal trouble deepens for the film
The controversy has also drawn legal scrutiny. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, stating that the film’s title promotes “negative stereotypes” and “vilifies a recognised social group.”
Additionally, a writ petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court by Mahender Chaturvedi through advocate Vineet Jindal, seeking a stay on the release of Ghooskhor Pandat.
With Netflix removing all promotional content and the filmmakers issuing clarifications, the future of the project now hinges on legal proceedings and further decisions by authorities. The controversy has once again reignited the debate around creative freedom, religious sentiments, and accountability in India’s rapidly growing OTT space.
Home Entertainment Netflix Pulls ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ Teaser After Backlash; FIR Filed, Neeraj Pandey and...
