Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy: Film announcement, protests, and court rebuke; find out what happened in the 'Ghooskhor Pandit' controversy.

Posted on 12th Feb 2026 by rohit kumar

The Manoj Bajpayee-starrer "Ghooskhor Pandat" was officially announced on February 3rd. With this, the voices of protest against the film's title intensified. The Brahmin community and the saint community took to the streets. People burned effigies of the film's producer, Neeraj Pandey, and actor Manoj Bajpayee. The political world also expressed strong opposition to the film's title. The protests continue. Meanwhile, complaints were filed in several places. The matter reached the court, and today, February 12th, the Supreme Court reprimanded the makers for the title and asked for a new name for the film. What did the Supreme Court say? And what has happened in this matter so far? Read the details here.

 

 

To whom did the Supreme Court issue notices?

On Thursday, the Supreme Court reprimanded Neeraj Pandey, the filmmaker of the film "Ghooskhor Pandat." The court said that using such a title cannot defame a section of society. While hearing a petition seeking a stay on the release of the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer film "Ghooskhor Pandat," the Supreme Court expressed strong objection to the film's title. According to news agency PTI, a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification on the petition regarding the film "Ghooskhor Pandat."

 

The next hearing of the case will be held on February 19th.

The court said, "Why are you defaming a section of society by using such a title? This is against morality and public order. Unless you provide us with a changed name, we will not allow the film to be released." The court directed the filmmakers to file an affidavit stating that "Ghooskhor Pandat" does not denigrate any section of society. The next hearing of the case will be held on February 19th.

 

When and how did the controversy begin?

It's worth noting that on February 3, 2026, Netflix announced its "India Plan" for 2026. Several new films and series were unveiled at the event. Manoj Bajpayee's film "Ghooskhor Pandat" was also announced with a teaser release. However, controversy surrounding the film's title began. FIRs were filed against the film in various parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh. Protests are still ongoing in several locations. The matter has reached court. The cast and producer also issued clarifications through social media posts.

 

FIR filed against the film in Lucknow; Mayawati demanded a ban.

Following the controversy surrounding the film "Ghooskhor Pandat," an FIR was filed at the Hazratganj police station in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, while the NHRC issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting following a complaint. The complaint was reportedly filed at the direction of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The allegation is that the film attempts to hurt religious and caste sentiments. Meanwhile, BSP party chief Mayawati also protested the film's title. She called the film's name casteist and derogatory, demanding the government ban it. Protests against the film were also held in several places in Madhya Pradesh, where people expressed their anger by throwing shoes at posters.

 

VHP expresses objection, urges the government

The VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) objected to the title "Bribery Pandit" and called it an attack on the "most respected" section of society. The VHP urged the government to look into the matter. VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, "This is absolutely unacceptable. With the name of the film, you are not only attacking the most respected section of our Hindu society, but are also trying to spread hatred and unrest in the country. Stop this immediately and apologize, Hindu society will be forced to take democratic action against your repeated attempts to do so."

 

Manoj Bajpayee and the makers issued a clarification

Following protests over the film's title, Manoj Bajpayee and producer Neeraj Pandey issued a clarification through social media posts. Last Friday, they stated that the story of "Bhuskhor Pandit" is about a man with certain flaws and has nothing to do with any caste or community. Neeraj Pandey also acknowledged in a social media post that the film's title had "distressed" a section of the audience and stated that all promotional material for the film would be removed for the time being.

 

Braj saints expressed objection

Braj saints also expressed objection to the film. They wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban the film, alleging that the image of the Brahmin community was being deliberately tarnished in the name of "freedom of expression." Meanwhile, in Prayagraj, the Parshuram Sena protested against "Bhuskhor Pandit," burning effigies of Manoj Bajpayee and Neeraj Pandey and raising slogans. There was a demand to immediately change the name of the film.