Manoj Bajpayee Responds to ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ Controversy: “It Was Not About Any Community”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has addressed the controversy surrounding the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandit following the filing of an FIR. In a recent Instagram Story, he expressed respect for people’s concerns and clarified the intent behind his role in the film.

FIR Filed Over Film’s Title
The film, produced by Neeraj Pandey, faced backlash after its title allegedly hurt the sentiments of a specific community. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered action, and the Hazratganj police in Lucknow filed an FIR against the director and the team. The controversy centers on claims that the film’s title could offend the Brahmin community. In response, the producer emphasized that the film had no intention of targeting any community and urged audiences to watch the film before forming opinions.

Manoj Bajpayee’s Statement
Manoj Bajpayee took to Instagram to address the controversy, writing:
“I respect people’s feelings and take them seriously. When you are part of something and it hurts someone, it compels you to pause and listen. As an actor, I approached this character and story with care.”

He further clarified:
“For me, this character was a journey to show human flaws and self-realization. It was not about any community. My experience working with Neeraj Pandey has always been very professional—he ensures that filmmakers are sensitive to people’s emotions. Based on this, it has been decided that any promotional material that could cause concern will be removed. This shows how seriously people’s concerns are being taken.”

Neeraj Pandey’s Response
Director Neeraj Pandey also posted a statement following the FIR, emphasizing that Ghooskhor Pandit is a fictional drama. He explained that the use of the term “Pandit” refers only to the character’s name, and the story revolves around an individual, not any religion, caste, or community. He requested viewers to watch the entire film before forming opinions and said the movie was made sincerely to entertain audiences.

The Backlash
The FIR alleges that the film could disrupt social harmony and hurt religious or caste sentiments. Brahmin community leaders have expressed outrage, even writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request a ban. Critics claim that under the guise of freedom of expression, the community’s image is being deliberately harmed.

About the Film and Cast
Directed by Ritesh Shah, Ghooskhor Pandit features Manoj Bajpayee as the corrupt Ajay Dixit, based on real events. The cast also includes Nusrat Bharucha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, and Divya Dutta in pivotal roles. The release date has not yet been announced, and it remains unclear whether the film’s title will be changed.