What began as title announcement on streaming platform’s event stage quickly turned into one of the most heated Bollywood controversies of 2026. Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming Netflix film, ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’, directed by debutant Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey, was unveiled as part of Netflix’s Next on Netflix 2026 slate. Within hours, the backlash had begun.
Several social media users, organisations and political voices called the title offensive and casteist. The word “Ghooskhor” means corrupt or bribe-taking, while “Pandat” is a colloquial form of “Pandit,” a term associated with the Brahmin community. Critics argued that placing the two words together amounted to a direct slur against the community. The outrage spread fast. And it did not stay within the boundaries of a social media debate.
What Bajpayee said
In a recent interview with NDTV, Bajpayee opened up about what he went through during the peak of the controversy. He said the attacks did not just target him. People had begun talking about his 15-year-old daughter. The actor said he found it difficult to distinguish between genuine criticism and online trolling.
Speaking separately to PTI about the broader situation, Bajpayee said, “When the threats were coming to me, I was also travelling continuously without any fear. When people are trolling you, abusing you and getting your family into the whole thing, I feel empathy for them.”
He did not respond with anger. He described his emotional state as one of empathy, not fear. But the fact that his minor daughter’s name came up in the threats was something he chose to address directly and publicly. For a man who has spent decades navigating controversy and public attention, this was a line he felt had been crossed.
The team’s response and the apology
Bajpayee revealed that during the controversy surrounding the film’s title, he received threats, faced online abuse and his family was even dragged into the dispute. This continued even after the filmmakers having issued an apology within just two days.
Speaking to PTI, Bajpayee said, “We did not anticipate this. However, when it did happen, we issued an apology within two days.”
Also Read: Ghooskhor Pandat row: Supreme Court seeks new name, says don’t create ‘halla gulla’ till next hearing
He also acknowledged that the team was shaken, but only briefly. According to the actor, “Were we affected? For some time. Till the time we did put out our post, we were assessing the situation without getting affected too much mentally.”
Director Neeraj Pandey addressed the controversy on Instagram. He wrote, “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. We understand that the title of the film has caused hurt to some viewers, and we genuinely acknowledge those feelings.”
Bajpayee echoed this on his X account. He wrote, “I respect the emotions and concerns people have shared, and I have taken them seriously. When something you are part of causes hurt to some people, it makes you pause and listen. As an actor, I come to a film through the character and the story I am playing. For me, this was about portraying a flawed individual and his journey of self-realisation. This was not meant to be a statement about any community.”
On social media outrage
Bajpayee also spoke about what he sees as a broader problem. He argued that many reactions emerged before people understood what the film was actually about, saying, “The film talks about something else. But I think on social media now people are impatient and they are eager and desperate to come out with their opinion without even knowing fully about the subject matter.”
He said that engaging with uninformed voices held little value. He added that arguments with impatient or uninformed voices held little value for him.
Protests, FIR, and the courts
The backlash moved well beyond Twitter threads. In Bhopal, members of certain parties staged demonstrations, holding placards and demanding action against the filmmakers and the streaming platform. In Prayagraj, activists burnt effigies of Neeraj Pandey and Manoj Bajpayee at Subhash Chowk in Civil Lines.
Legal action followed quickly. An FIR was lodged at Hazratganj Police Station, Lucknow, accusing the film of hurting religious sentiments. Authorities stated that, on first review, the title appears to malign a specific community by linking the term Pandat with corruption. The FIR names Neeraj Pandey and his production team, with police emphasising a zero-tolerance approach toward content that could inflame public sentiment or disturb local peace.
A writ petition was also filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the film’s proposed release. The plea contends that the title and promotional content are defamatory and risk inflaming communal sensitivities, and argues that the name targets and insults a specific community.
In the latest development, the filmmakers informed the Delhi High Court that they had taken a conscious decision to change the film’s title.
The film and what comes next
The upcoming Netflix release features Manoj Bajpayee alongside Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi and Divya Dutta. Written by Neeraj Pandey and Ritesh Shah, the film marks Ritesh Shah’s directorial debut.
The teaser that had been released during the Netflix event has since been taken down. The film’s new title has not yet been announced officially. A release date is also still awaited.
The backlash quickly spread across social media and eventually reached the courts. While the makers decided to take corrective steps and promised changes, the controversy also had a personal impact on those associated with the project.