Netflix's Ghooskhor Pandat, starring Manoj Bajpayee, is embroiled in a controversy ever since it's teaser was released. A legal notice alleges the film defames the Pandit community.

Mumbai based advocate Ashutosh Dubey has sent a legal notice to Netflix and the film’s makers, demanding that the title be withdrawn immediately. In the notice, he described the title as “defamatory, community vilifying, unconstitutional, and socially incendiary.”

A group of people, identifying themselves as Brahmins, protested against Bhuskhor Pandat in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh's capital.

The matter has also reached the Delhi High Court, where advocate Vineet Jindal filed a writ petition seeking a stay on the film’s release. The petition further argues that the impugned title and content violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution.

It claims that the content discriminates against a particular religious and social group, infringes the right to dignity and reputation, and demeans religious and cultural identity linked to faith, rituals and traditions.

The controversy has gained further traction on social media. Supreme Court lawyer Shashank Shekhar Jha wrote on X, “Hello Netflix India, normalisation of hatred against Pandits and Brahmins won’t be tolerated. I’ll see you in Court.” Critics have also suggested that if corruption was the central theme, neutral terms like “Officer” or “Babu” could have been used instead of referencing a community, with one commenter claiming the choice reflects a pattern of demonising certain groups."

The NHRC has issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the wake of a complaint alleging that the title of an upcoming movie to be released on a web-based platform, "promotes negative stereotypes."

BSP chief Mayawati on Friday condemned the alleged insult to the Brahmin community in the film 'Ghooskhor Pandat' and demanded that the Centre immediately impose a ban on what she termed as a "casteist" movie.

In a post on her official X handle, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said it is a matter of "great sorrow and concern" that the term 'pandit' was being portrayed as an infiltrator not only in Uttar Pradesh, but now even in films, leading to insult and disrespect across the country.

On the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Lucknow's Hazratganj Police has registered an FIR against the film. According to Lucknow Police, strict action has been taken following allegations that the content attempts to disturb social harmony and hurt religious and caste sentiments.

Due to the name and content of the film, there is intense anger and outrage among the Brahmin community and various social organizations. These organizations have even warned of aggressive protests against the drama. 

Legal action and investigation are underway in view of the seriousness of the matter.

The Mumbai-based Film Makers Combine (FMC) has raised an objection to the Netflix film’s title Ghooskhor Pandat. FMC claimed the production house, Friday Story Tellers, did not apply for or receive approval for the title. The organisation said, as per its rules, the title cannot be used without proper authorization.

Reacting to the outrage, Neeraj Pandey acknowledged that the film's title has "hurt" a section of audience and added that all promotional materials of the film will be taken down for the time being.

While, Manoj Bajpayee assured that he takes the emotions of the people hurt by the title of his next very seriously; however, he added that through his character, he only wished to depict the journey of a flawed person, and it should not be taken as a remark on any community in particular.