Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy: Netflix Removes Manoj Bajpayee Starrer From Its Listing After Makers Pledge To Withdraw Promotional Material
Mumbai: Following its unveiling at Netflix’s slate announcement event in Mumbai, director Neeraj Pandey’s film Ghooskhor Pandat, featuring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, has been drawing attention for controversial reasons. An FIR has been lodged against the filmmakers, while social media users have criticized both the makers and Bajpayee, alleging that the project hurts religious sentiments. In response, Pandey and Bajpayee issued a statement assuring that all promotional materials for the film would be withdrawn temporarily. Social media users have now noticed that Netflix has delisted the film from its platform.
The Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy
A segment of people have alleged that the film’s title has hurt their religious sentiments. Following the film’s announcement, it attracted significant backlash on social media platforms. On Friday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the registration of an FIR against the makers of Ghooskhor Pandat, including director Neeraj Pandey and lead actor Manoj Bajpayee.
Shortly after, Pandey and Bajpayee released a statement addressing the matter. Bajpayee tweeted, “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. 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.”
His statement continued, “In my experience of working with Neeraj Pandey, there has been a consistent seriousness and care in how he approaches his films. The filmmakers have decided to take down the promotional material, in light of the public sentiment. This reflects the seriousness with which the concerns are being taken.”
With the promotional materials removed and Netflix delisting the film, speculation is building over whether the makers intend to relaunch the project under a different title.