Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has responded officially following a writ petition filed in the Delhi High Court seeking to stay the release and streaming of the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat. The petition claims the film’s title and promotional content are offensive and defamatory to the Brahmin community. In a public statement, Pandey clarified that Ghooskhor Pandat is a fictional cop drama, and the term “Pandat” is merely a colloquial nickname for a fictional character, not linked to any caste, religion, or community.“
Our film is a fictional cop drama, and the term ‘Pandat’ is used simply as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on an individual’s actions and choices and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion, or community,” Pandey explained.He emphasized his role as a responsible storyteller, reaffirming that the film was created with sincere intent and purely for entertainment. “As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility—to tell stories that are thoughtful and respectful. This film, like my earlier work, has been created with sincere intent and solely to entertain audiences,” he added.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by some viewers, Pandey said the team understands the hurt caused by the title and confirmed that all promotional materials have been temporarily withdrawn.“We understand that the title of the film has caused hurt to some viewers, and we genuinely acknowledge those feelings. In light of these concerns, we have decided to take down all promotional materials for the time being, as we believe the film should be experienced in its entirety and understood in the context of the story we intended to tell, rather than judged on partial glimpses,” the statement read.
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The legal petition, filed on February 5, 2026, by Mahender Chaturvedi, requests a stay on the film’s release and streaming, arguing that the title Ghooskhor Pandat associates a term traditionally linked with scholarship and spirituality with corruption, thereby harming the dignity of the Brahmin community. The plea also raises concerns about collective defamation and communal harmony.Ghooskhor Pandat, starring Manoj Bajpayee as a police officer nicknamed “Pandat,” is part of Netflix’s 2026 content lineup. Netflix India and the streaming platform have yet to issue a separate response to the petition. Pandey concluded, “I look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon.”
