Manoj Bajpayee recalls receiving threats during Ghooskhor Pandat row: 'I was travelling continuously'

Manoj Bajpayee (Pic/Instagram)

Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey's upcoming film Ghooskhor Pandat, which was set to release on Netflix, landed in legal trouble after its title was criticised for being offensive and communally insensitive. Addressing the row, actor Manoj Bajpayee said the makers promptly apologised and were willing to change the title if it offended people. He also reflected on the threats and trolling he faced amid the controversy.

Manoj Bajpayee on Ghooskhor Pandat row

While speaking to PTI, the Governor actor revealed, "We didn't expect it. But when it happened, in two days' time, we put out our apology. If anything is offending anyone with that much intensity, we, as creative people, are always there to mend our ways or correct ourselves. I personally feel that the title change is not going to be such a huge thing. We are creative people, we can come up with ten different titles, and they will be equally exciting."

The actor added, "But I must tell you that 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. The film talks about something else. But I think that people on social media are now impatient, eager, and desperate to come out with their opinions without fully knowing the subject matter."

"I don't have the energy or time to argue with people who are that impatient with their opinions or who do not even bother to educate themselves. So why argue with them? Don't get into the mud with people who like to roll you in it," Manoj Bajpayee concluded.

About Ghooskhor Pandat row

After the film was announced during Netflix's yearly slate reveal, a petitioner alleged that the title and proposed content of the film were defamatory and communally offensive. A massive row erupted after social media users criticised the title, calling it derogatory towards the Brahmin community. Apart from this, multiple FIRs were filed seeking a ban on the release of the project.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had also written to the producer, urging them to withdraw the title of the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer. Manoj Bajpayee also reacted to the objections surrounding the name of his next film, saying that the movie is not a remark on any particular community.