UP Police Register FIR Against Netflix Film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ Following CM Yogi’s Directive

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the registration of an FIR against the director and production team of the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat, starring Manoj Bajpayee. The police action at Lucknow’s Hazratganj Police Station follows multiple complaints alleging that the film’s title and content hurt public sentiments and threaten social harmony by stereotyping a specific community. Critics and legal notices have specifically targeted the use of the term “Pandat” (colloquial for Pandit) alongside “Ghooskhor” (bribe-taker), labeling it defamatory. In response to the growing controversy and industry pressure regarding title approvals, the filmmakers have decided to withdraw all promotional materials immediately.

In a formal clarification, lead actor Manoj Bajpayee and director Neeraj Pandey emphasized that the film is a fictional cop drama and was never intended to disparage any caste or religion. Bajpayee stated that his character, Ajay Dikshit, is simply a “flawed individual” and that the role should be viewed within the context of the story rather than as a statement on a community. Despite these justifications, the project remains under intense scrutiny, with the Film Makers Combine also raising issues over mandatory industry approvals for the title. The creators maintained that “Pandat” was used only as a colloquial character name, but they have paused marketing to respect public emotions while the legal process unfolds.