Netflix has announced that the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer film originally titledGhooskhor Pandatwill undergo a title change after legal objections were raised regarding its potential offensiveness. The submission was made in the Delhi High Court in response to a writ petition filed by Mahender Chaturvedi, who sought to restrain the film’s release, claiming the title defamed the Brahmin community and his own profession.
The petitioner argued that the association of “Pandat” with corruption and bribery harmed social dignity and violated constitutional rights under Articles 14, 21, 25, and 19(1)(a), subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). Concerns were also raised regarding the lack of an effective regulatory framework for OTT platforms.
Netflix’s legal representative stated that the producers made a “conscious decision” to select a new title that better reflects the film’s narrative and intent. With the petitioner accepting this resolution, the Delhi High Court disposed of the matter.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier expressed concerns, stating that the title could hurt sentiments and disturb social harmony. The federation urged filmmakers to avoid provocative titles that might create division based on caste, creed, religion, or profession.
The new title aims to respect social sentiments while allowing the film to release without further legal obstacles, ensuring both creative expression and social responsibility are maintained.
