Protests Erupt Over Netflix Film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’
The controversy surrounding Netflix’s upcoming thriller Ghooskhor Pandat has intensified, with widespread protests erupting across India over claims that its title insults the Brahmin community.
Demonstrators in several cities burned effigies of lead actor Manoj Bajpayee and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey on Friday, while issuing threats to blacken their faces if the film proceeds without changes. Protesters argue that combining “ghooskhor”—a term denoting corruption or bribery—with “Pandat,” a colloquial reference to Brahmins or Hindu priests, deliberately defames the community and its revered status.
In Prayagraj, members of the Rashtriya Parshuram Sena staged a demonstration at Subhash Chowk, setting ablaze effigies of producer Neeraj Pandey, director Ritesh Shah, and associated actors. They accused the project of targeting Hindus and Brahmins specifically, and demanded a nationwide ban on both the film and Netflix.
Similar protests occurred in Indore and Bhopal, where Brahmin groups and Parshuram Sena activists torched effigies of Bajpayee and the streaming platform. Placards carried slogans condemning the makers, with one group explicitly warning: “We oppose the film; it should be banned, otherwise Manoj Bajpayee and Neeraj Pandey will have their faces blackened.” They urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Board of Film Certification to intervene and prohibit its release.
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The film, a crime thriller, features Manoj Bajpayee as a corrupt police officer nicknamed Pandat. Amid mounting pressure—including an FIR registered in Lucknow for allegedly hurting religious and caste sentiments, reportedly ordered by Uttar Pradesh authorities—the production responded swiftly.
Neeraj Pandey issued a statement clarifying that Ghooskhor Pandat is entirely fictional and intended to offend no community, caste, or religion. Promotional materials, including the teaser and first-look images, have been withdrawn from circulation. Reports indicate this step followed directives from the central government, with the Bharatiya Janata Party acknowledging the action positively.
The developments underscore ongoing sensitivities in India regarding portrayals of caste identities in media, prompting rapid reactions from community organisations, political figures, and law enforcement. The project, originally planned for a Netflix release later this year, now faces uncertain prospects amid the backlash.