Manoj Bajpayee Addresses Controversy Surrounding ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’
Actor Manoj Bajpayee has spoken out about the controversy surrounding his new film, Ghooskhor Pandat, after an FIR was filed in Lucknow. The FIR accuses the film of hurting religious and caste sentiments. Bajpayee emphasized that the film is not intended to offend anyone and is purely fictional, focusing on a character’s personal journey.
The FIR was lodged at Hazratganj Police Station due to complaints that the film’s title and marketing materials associated the term “Pandat” with corruption, which some argued defamed the Brahmin community. This has triggered a wider reaction, including petitions in the Delhi High Court calling for a halt to the film’s release and demands for a social media boycott.
Reflecting on the public’s concerns, Bajpayee shared a post from director Neeraj Pandey on social media. He acknowledged the emotions expressed by the public and stated, “I respect the emotions and concerns people have shared… It makes you pause and listen.” He stressed that his role in Ghooskhor Pandat was about storytelling, not making comments on caste or community. “For me, this was about portraying a flawed individual on his journey of self-discovery,” he added.
Bajpayee also noted his professional relationship with director Neeraj Pandey, highlighting the care with which Pandey approaches his projects. He mentioned that the filmmakers have chosen to temporarily remove promotional materials as a sign of sensitivity to public opinion. “This reflects how seriously they are taking these concerns,” he stated.
Neeraj Pandey previously clarified that Ghooskhor Pandat is a fictional cop drama and that the term “Pandat” is merely a nickname for the character, not an indication of any caste or religion. He acknowledged that the title might have hurt some viewers and reiterated the decision to pull the promotional content.
The backlash has not only involved public criticism but also legal actions, with petitions claiming that linking a term historically associated with scholarship to corruption harms the dignity of an identifiable community. These petitions raise questions about the limits of creative expression under Indian law.
