Ghooskhor Pandat row: SC asks makers to submit new title, says such names are often chosen for publicity
In the Ghooskhor Pandat case, the Supreme Court asked Netflix and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey to inform the court of the new title of their project by 12.30 pm.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought clarity from Netflix and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey over the title of Ghooskhor Pandat, asking them to inform the court by 12.30 pm about the new name they propose to give it. The court did not mince words. It observed that such names are often chosen for publicity so that controversy follows. The remark came during the hearing, as the bench pressed for a clear answer within hours.
Directing the parties to place the new title on record by 12.30 pm, the bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna issued the instruction in open court. The matter is now expected to be taken up once the revised name is communicated, in line with the court’s direction. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role.
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday took up a petition seeking a stay on the release and streaming of Netflix's Ghooskhor Pandat. The petitioner argued that the film’s title and its proposed content were defamatory and communally offensive. During the hearing, Netflix informed the court that the makers were willing to change the film’s name. The platform assured the bench that the title would be revised. It also submitted that all promotional material related to the film had already been taken down from social media. Following this submission, the court settled the matter.
Recording Netflix’s statement that the title would be changed and promotional content removed, the court observed that there was no longer any reason to pass further orders on the plea. Netflix and the makers agreed to rename the film. On that basis, the court treated the matter as settled and rejected the petition seeking to halt the release of Ghooskhor Pandat.
For context, the petitioner had told the court that the title 'Ghooskhor Pandat' damaged the image of Hindu priests and a particular community and could be socially and communally inflammatory. The plea had sought an immediate stay on the film’s release and online streaming.