Mumbai- In a significant relief for actor Manoj Bajpayee and the makers of his upcoming Netflix drama Ghooskhor Pandat, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to block the film’s release and streaming.
The court’s decision followed the producers informing the bench that the film’s title would be revised. Counsel representing producer Neeraj Pandey also stated that all promotional content related to the film has already been taken down from social media platforms.
The petitioner had argued that the film’s title and its proposed content were defamatory and offensive to a particular community. The title had sparked widespread criticism on social media, with several users claiming it was derogatory towards the Brahmin community. Additionally, multiple FIRs had been filed demanding a ban on the project.
Earlier, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had also urged the producers to withdraw the title of the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer. In its appeal to OTT platforms, FWICE stated that it strongly objected to the title as it appeared to single out and portray a specific community and its traditional profession in a derogatory manner. The federation warned that such content could hurt sentiments, create misunderstandings, and disturb social harmony.
FWICE further emphasised that society should not be divided on the basis of caste, religion, creed, or profession, noting that all occupations deserve equal respect. The organisation also highlighted the film industry’s moral and social responsibility to ensure that film titles and content do not promote hatred, disrespect, or social unrest. It appealed to producer bodies to avoid approving titles that may provoke controversy or public discord.
Previously, Manoj Bajpayee had addressed the controversy, clarifying that the film does not target any community. He stated that, as an actor, he focuses on the character and narrative, adding that the film revolves around a flawed individual and his journey towards self-realisation, rather than making any statement about a particular community.
With inputs from IANS