Manoj Bajpayee starrer Netflix’s upcoming thriller ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ is embroiled in controversies. The show was announced at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday and its teaser was also launched. In the film, Manoj Bajpayee plays the character of a corrupt and immoral police officer named Ajay Dixit, popularly known as Pandit. This film has been directed by Ritesh Shah and written jointly by Shah and Neeraj Pandey. Nusrat Bharucha and Saqib Saleem also play important roles in it. However, this film is embroiled in controversies and an FIR has also been registered against the team of this film in Lucknow. Let us know the whole matter here.

Why did the controversy start regarding the bribe taking Pandit?
Soon after the teaser of ‘Ghooshkhor Pandat’ was released during the ‘Next on Netflix’ event, it got embroiled in controversy. Ashutosh Dubey, a Mumbai-based lawyer, sent a legal notice to Netflix and the filmmakers objecting to the title. The word pandit (priest, religious scholar) has been used interchangeably with ghuskhor (a word used for those who take bribes). The notice claims that this mail is derogatory and an attack on the dignity of the ‘Pandit community’.

The notice demands immediate removal of the title ‘Ghushkhor Pandit’, calling it defamatory, unconstitutional and socially provocative. It has been argued that the makers could have chosen a neutral or fictional title instead of a title associated with a community. It further states that freedom of expression does not mean that any community should be insulted or defamed in the guise of satire, fiction or entertainment, especially when the harm caused can be estimated.

‘‘Bribery Pandit’ Case registered against in Lucknow
On the instructions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an FIR has been registered against the director and team members of the Netflix film ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ at Hazratganj Police Station in Lucknow. It has been alleged in the complaint that the content of the film has hurt the sentiments of the people and disturbed the social harmony, after which the local authorities have taken action.

Officials said the film’s content was considered objectionable by some sections of the public, raising the possibility of unrest or hurting sentiments. Hazratganj Police itself has taken cognizance and registered a case against the film’s director and his team and started investigation.

‘‘Bribery Pandit’ The film maker issued a statement
Amidst the controversy, ‘Maker of ‘Ghushkhor Pandat’ Neeraj Pandey issued a statement and explained his motive behind the film. In his statement, Neeraj Pandey wrote, “Our film is a fictional cop drama, and the word ‘Pandat’ is used only as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on the actions and decisions of one person and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion or community. As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep responsibility to tell stories that Be considerate and respectful.”

After the controversy, Pandey told that the team has decided to stop all promotions. They wrote in the note, “Given these concerns, we have decided to remove all promotional materials for the time being, as we believe that the film should be fully experienced and understood in the context of the story we wanted to tell, and not be judged based on incomplete parts. We look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon.”

Meanwhile, the Film Makers Combine issued a notice soon after the announcement of the project, and its teaser was released at an event in Mumbai earlier this week. The organization claimed that the makers had not taken necessary approvals for the title, as required under industry norms.

‘‘Bribery Pandit’ About this
In Ghooskhor Pandat, Manoj Bajpayee plays the character of Ajay Dixit, a corrupt police officer whose nickname is ‘Pandat’. The story of the film unfolds over a single night and it also stars Nusrat Bharucha and Saqib Saleem in lead roles.