SC Raps 'Ghooskhor Pandat' Title, Orders Change
SC Raps 'Ghooskhor Pandat' Title, Orders Change
Supreme Court admonishes Neeraj Pandey over the title Ghooskhor Pandat, directing a title change and affidavit as Netflix release awaits the next hearing.
New Delhi — The Supreme Court on Thursday admonished filmmaker Neeraj Pandey for the title of his film \"Ghooskhor Pandat\", saying you cannot denigrate a section of society by such a title. The bench, comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board for Film Certification, and Pandey as the matter was heard in a PIL filed by Atul Mishra of the Brahman Samaj of India seeking a stay on Netflix's release.
During the hearing, the bench asked Pandey to file an affidavit stating that the film would not denigrate any community, and warned that the release would not proceed until a changed title is provided. The matter is slated to be heard again on February 19.
The plea argues that the title and storyline are prima facie offensive and could harm public order, communal harmony, and constitutional values. The title in question uses the word \"Pandat\", which identifies caste and religious identity, alongside \"Ghooskhor\", which connotes bribery and moral corruption. Netflix had announced the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer film at a Mumbai event, with cast including Nushrat Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, and Divya Dutta.
The court stressed that no section of society should be disparaged and reminded the filmmakers of constitutional values around fraternity and responsible speech. The PIL seeks to stay the Netflix release unless the title is changed. The bench did not issue a ruling on the film's content itself, but made clear that the title, if left as is, could amount to denigration. The matter will be heard again on February 19.
