Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed police to file an FIR against the director and team members of the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat. The complaint alleges that the film’s title and content hurt public sentiments and could disturb social harmony. The FIR was registered at Hazratganj Police Station, naming the film’s director Neeraj Pandey and several team members.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who plays the lead role in the film, addressed the controversy on his verified X account on Friday, clarifying, “This film or my portrayal was not meant to be a statement about any community. I respect the emotions and concerns people have shared, and I take them seriously. This was about portraying a flawed individual and his journey, not targeting any caste or religion.”
The controversy arose after social media users criticized the film’s title, claiming that the term “Pandat,” combined with “Ghooskhor” (a colloquial term referring to bribery), defamed the Brahmin community. A petition has also been filed in the Delhi High Court, accusing the film of derogatory content that could harm the dignity and reputation of the community.
Neeraj Pandey, director of the film, posted a statement on Instagram explaining the intent behind the title. He said, “Our film is a fictional cop drama, and the term ‘Pandat’ is used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community. In light of concerns, we have decided to take down all promotional materials for the time being so the film can be experienced in its entirety.”
The FIR follows complaints received by authorities after the film’s teaser release on February 3, 2026, and legal notices from multiple sources, including Mumbai-based lawyer Ashutosh Dubey. The Film Makers Combine also issued a notice pointing out that the makers had not obtained mandatory approval for the title as per industry rules, warning of disciplinary action.
Social media reactions have been divided, with users debating whether the title unfairly targets the Brahmin community. One user wrote, “Netflix would never dare make Ghooskhor Chamar, Ghooskhor Yadav, or Ghooskhor Paswan, but abusing Brahmin identity is treated as fair game in India. Shame on Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee.”
The film stars Manoj Bajpayee as Ajay Dikshit, a corrupt police officer, along with Nushrratt Bharuccha, Shraddha Das, and Kiku Sharda in key roles. It is part of Netflix India’s 2026 content slate and is directed by Neeraj Pandey and Ritesh Shah.
