'People Are Desperate To...': Manoj Bajpayee Recalls Getting Threats During Ghooskhor Pandat Row

After Netflix India announced the cop drama Ghooskhor Pandat starring Manoj Bajpayee, there was widespread criticism over the title of the movie. Following the criticism, the makers of the movie apologised to the public for hurting sentiments and assured that the title of the movie would be changed. Now, Manoj Bajpayee has opened up about the controversy and how it has affected him.

Speaking to news agency PTI, Manoj Bajpayee shared, “We didn’t expect it. But when it happened, in two days’ time we put out our apology. If anything is offending anyone with that much intensity, we as creative people are always there to mend our ways or correct ourselves. I personally feel that the title change is not going to be such a huge thing. We are creative people,

we can come up with ten different titles and they will be equally exciting.”

“But I must tell you that when the threats were coming to me, I was also travelling continuously without any fear. When people are trolling you, abusing you and getting your family into the whole thing, I feel empathy for them. The film talks about something else. But I think on social media now people are impatient, and they are eager and desperate to come out with their opinion without even knowing fully about the subject matter. I’m a person who is very curious for knowledge, I’m a well-educated person, and I don’t have any intention, I don’t have that energy and time to argue with people who are that impatient with their opinion or who are not even bothering to educate themselves. So, why argue with them? Don’t get into the mud with people who like to roll you into the mud,” Bajpayee further continued and added.

About the Ghooskhor Pandat controversy

At the centre of the row is the title Ghooskhor Pandat, which loosely translates to ‘Corrupt Pandit’. Critics argue that the use of the term ‘Pandat’, commonly associated with a Brahmin surname, reinforces negative stereotypes and is potentially offensive.

Neeraj Pandey on the backlash

Director Neeraj Pandey, who is attached to the project along with Ritesh Shah, later issued a clarification on Instagram, stressing that the series is entirely fictional. “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,” he stated.

The production team also maintained that the promotional content had been withdrawn voluntarily, even before the government directive.