Netflix India on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Ghooskhor Pandat will be retitled. The submission was made before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav during the hearing of a petition seeking a stay on the release of the film citing its title as “offensive” and “defamatory”, as reported by PTI.
“The producer has taken a conscious decision in light of the concerns raised to change the title of the film from ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ to an alternative title that more accurately reflects the narrative and intent of the film,” Justice Kaurav observed in the order.
‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ is produced by filmmaker Neeraj Pandey.
Netflix’s general counsel went on to say that the film, which is in the editing stage, is a fictional police drama and the title led to “unintended interruptions” that did not fit the content of the film.
The court was informed that all promotional material had also been withdrawn.
In light of Netflix’s stance, the court closed the motion on the motion stating that “nothing further needed to be decided.”
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the Centre, told the court that the government has been informed that all promotional material related to the film has been withdrawn.
Netflix’s announcement of the Neeraj Pandey-directed and produced film earlier this month sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many users calling the title “casteist” and offensive.
Petitioner Mahender Chaturvedi, an acharya by profession, alleged that the “sinister” association of “pandats” with corruption and bribery was an attack on the reputation and dignity of his community.
The petition argued that the name offends religious and cultural identity and creative freedom cannot be used as a shield to spread defamatory narratives.
In the petition, Chaturvedi sought a stay on the release and streaming of the film. He also prayed for a direction to the central government to take “appropriate action” against the OTT platform in accordance with the law.
“The impugned name ‘Pandat’ and the content constitute collective defamation because they intentionally associate a well-recognized religious and social designation with corruption and bribery, thereby damaging and reducing the reputation of the entire community in the public eye,” the lawsuit alleges.
