Supreme Court Rebukes Neeraj Pandey Over ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’; Orders Title Change

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday delivered a stern warning to filmmaker Neeraj Pandey regarding the controversial title of his upcoming film Ghooskhor Pandit. The court directed the producers to submit an affidavit confirming that the film does not defame any community, and also to propose a new title before the next hearing.

Judges Emphasize Limits of Freedom of Expression
The bench of Justice B. V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan underscored that freedom of expression does not give filmmakers the license to malign any section of society. The PIL (Public Interest Litigation) challenging the film’s release on Netflix claimed that the title and storyline were offensive to the Brahmin community. The petition argued that words like Pandit combined with Ghooskhor (bribe-taker) portrayed moral corruption and caste-based stereotypes.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court stated:
“Freedom of speech is one thing, but it does not allow defaming any community. This violates public morality and order. Society already has divisions—why create more? Being socially aware is one thing; spreading defamation to incite unrest is another.”

Court Directs Affidavit and Title Change
The court instructed Pandey to submit an affidavit affirming that the film does not defame any social group. Until the new title is communicated, the court said, “We will not permit the film’s release. Do not create a mountain out of a molehill.” The next hearing has been scheduled for February 19, 2026.

Producer’s Response
During the proceedings, Pandey’s lawyer assured the court that a new, non-controversial title would be selected. The Supreme Court emphasized that the new title must respect fraternity and constitutional values under Article 19(1)(a), protecting free speech while maintaining public harmony.

Background of the Controversy
The PIL was filed by Atul Mishra, National Secretary of the All India Brahmin Organization, seeking a ban on the Netflix release. The complaint highlighted that the film’s title and content could promote caste-based prejudices, undermine communal harmony, and threaten constitutional principles. The film features Manoj Bajpayee, Nusrat Bharucha, Zakir Salim, Akshay Oberoi, and Divya Dutta, and was announced in a recent event in Mumbai.

Earlier, Netflix India had informed the Delhi High Court that the title would be changed to a suitable alternative reflecting the story’s essence while addressing the raised concerns.