Neeraj Pandey Withdraws Controversial Film Title in Supreme Court Affidavit
In a significant development, acclaimed director and producer Neeraj Pandey has formally informed the Supreme Court of India through a detailed affidavit that the previous title of his upcoming film, 'Ghooskhor Pandat,' has been officially dropped. He has categorically stated that the film carries no intent or content that disrespects any religious or social group, aiming to address concerns raised in a public interest litigation.
Filmmaker Denies Any Malicious Intent to Hurt Religious Sentiments
Refuting allegations of hurting religious sentiments, Neeraj Pandey asserted in the affidavit, as quoted by IANS: "I state categorically and unequivocally that neither I nor my Production House had any deliberate or malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India." He further emphasized that the film "does not insult or attempt to insult any religion, or community or the religious beliefs of any class of citizens of India, whether by words, visual depiction, title, promotional material, electronic means, or otherwise."
Prompt Action Taken After Backlash from Teaser Launch
Following the backlash that ensued after the teaser launch on February 3, the affidavit highlighted that the filmmakers acted swiftly by withdrawing the promotional content. It noted, "After considering the concerns received from members of the public...the deponent withdrew the promotional materials relating to the film on 6 February 2026," adding that there was "never any intention to demean any religion, caste, or community." This move underscores the producer's commitment to social harmony and responsiveness to public feedback.
New Film Title Under Consideration with Strict Guidelines
Informing the Supreme Court about the changes, Neeraj Pandey confirmed that the earlier, disputed title would no longer be used in any manner. The affidavit stated, "I respectfully submit that the earlier title, 'Ghooskhor Pandit', stands unequivocally withdrawn and shall not be used in any manner whatsoever." It also mentioned that the new title, which is still under consideration, "shall not be similar to, or evocative of, the earlier title" and will accurately reflect the story's theme without leading to any misinterpretation.
Additionally, the affidavit described the project as "a fictional police drama that revolves around a criminal investigation" and clarified that it "does not portray any caste, religion, community, or sect as corrupt." This description aims to reassure audiences about the film's narrative focus and lack of discriminatory content.
Reference to Earlier Delhi High Court Plea and Supreme Court Proceedings
The producer also referenced in the affidavit that a similar writ petition had previously been submitted to the Delhi High Court. According to the document, the Delhi High Court, in its order dated February 10, closed the matter after acknowledging the statement that the film's title would be changed, stating that no further points remained for consideration.
Neeraj Pandey has requested that the petition pending before the Supreme Court be resolved on similar lines. This follows the apex court's strong remarks on February 12, when it criticized the filmmakers for the title 'Ghooskhor Pandat,' noting that the right to freedom of speech and expression does not grant permission to malign any section of society.
Background of the PIL and Supreme Court Directives
The Supreme Court Bench, led by Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, had issued notices to the Centre, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the filmmaker, making it clear that the movie's release would not proceed unless the title was changed. Emphasizing restraint in creative expression, the court remarked, "Freedom of speech and expression does not mean you can portray a community in a bad light," and warned that such titles could threaten social harmony in an already sensitive environment.
The public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court claimed that the film's title and narrative encourage caste- and religion-based stereotypes, thereby offending the dignity and religious sentiments of the Brahmin community. It argued that associating the caste name "Pandit" with the term "ghooskhor" (bribe-taker) amounts to defamation of an identifiable community and breaches Articles 14, 19(2), 21, 25, and 51A(e) of the Constitution.
The petition, submitted by Atul Mishra, National Organisation Secretary of the Brahman Samaj of India, through advocate Dr. Vinod Kumar Tewari, urged the court to issue an order preventing the release or screening of the film in its current form.
Supreme Court's Directive for Affidavit Submission
During an earlier hearing, counsel representing filmmaker Neeraj Pandey informed the court that the film's trailer had been taken down from social media and that the title was in the process of being changed. Following this, the Supreme Court instructed the producer to submit an affidavit detailing the measures undertaken, including the planned title modification, which has now been complied with.
This case highlights the ongoing balance between creative freedom and social responsibility in the Indian film industry, with Neeraj Pandey's actions demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing legal and public concerns.
