FWICE demands Manoj Bajpayee's Ghooskhor Pandat screening: 'Name change not enough'

Ghooskhor Pandat

Following the backlash over the title of Neeraj Pandey's film Ghooskhor Pandat, the makers told the Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, that they will change the title. The Manoj Bajpayee-starrer is set to get a new title, following multiple FIRs, protests and calls for a ban. However, after the decision, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president BN Tiwari has reacted to the decision, saying that merely changing the title is "not enough".

FWICE demands screening of Ghooskhor Pandat

In an interview with Hindustan Times, BN Tiwari demanded that the filmmakers must hold a special screening of the film for the concerned community to secure their approval before releasing it to the public.

"We are fine with the decision to change the title, but that alone is not enough. We would like to watch the film and understand how the community is depicted, as a title usually stems from the essence of the narrative," Tiwari told the portal.

He further said, "We are shocked and surprised that such big names involving Neeraj and Manoj did this, and used a name of the community in the title. Title kahani se hi banta hai aur related hota hai isiliye community ke liye screening honi chaiyeh (The title is derived from the story, that's why we want a screening for the community). The film should not be released without a screening. The makers need to get a go-ahead from the community before releasing it. If they get it, then we don't have any issue with it."

FWICE president threatens consequences

The FWICE President also warned of action if the makers proceed with the release without holding the screening. Tiwari claimed that the makers did not get the title registered with the film body. "In fact, I also reached out to other concerned bodies, and they, too, stated that the title is not registered with them. If they would have got the title registered with us, we would have raised our concerns at that moment only," he stated.

Warning the makers of strict action if they go ahead with the release without hosting a screening for both the film bodies and the community beforehand, Tiwari added, "Screening dhikhae bina nahi release hogi… Agar makers nahi mante toh non-corporation notice dal denge aur aage unke saath kaam nahi karenge (The film will not be released without a screening. If the makers do not agree, we will issue a non-cooperation notice and will not work with them going forward)."