Ghooskhor Pandat, a Manoj Bajpayee starrer crime thriller web series set to stream on Netflix has found itself in a controversy over allegations that the content insults caste identity and threatens social harmony.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed strict legal action against Netflix and the makers of the upcoming web series, following which a First Information Report (FIR) was filed in Lucknow on Friday.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, the Hazratganj Police registered the FIR against the against the director and team members of the upcoming series for its broadcast on OTT and social media platforms.
As per reports, the FIR was lodged by Station House Officer (SHO) Vikram Singh after the trailer drew sharp reactions online. Police said that the content reportedly promotes caste-based humiliation, triggering public anger and raises concerns of escalation of social tension.
The controversy erupted after the teaser of Ghooskhor Pandat was unveiled during Netflix’s ‘Next on Netflix’ event earlier this month. The objections focused on the title, which combines “ghooskhor” (bribe-taker) with “Pandat”, a colloquial form of “Pandit”.
Reportedly, several groups and individuals alleged that the phrasing amounts to casteist stereotyping and collective defamation of the Brahmin community.
Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, has strongly condemned the web series Ghooskhor Pandat, framing it as an insult to the Brahmin community.
She highlights that this is not just an isolated issue in Uttar Pradesh, but part of a broader trend in films and media where “Pandit” figures are depicted as corrupt or morally compromised.
“It is a matter of great sadness and concern that for some time now, not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in films, the “Pandit” has been insulted and disrespected across the country by portraying them as bribe-takers, and this has caused immense anger among the entire Brahmin community. Our party also strongly condemns this. The BSP demands that the central government immediately ban this casteist film (web series), Ghooskhor Pandit. Furthermore, the filing of an FIR by the Lucknow police in this regard is an appropriate step,” posted Mayawati on X.
The backlash quickly spread beyond social media, legal notices were issued to Netflix, its makers, and protests were reported in cities including Bhopal, and multiple court petitions followed.
A writ petition filed in the Delhi High Court seeks an immediate stay on the series’ release, arguing that the title and portrayal could disrupt social harmony and violate laws related to hate speech.
As per Hindustan Times, petitioner Mahender Chaturvedi, assisted by Advocate Vineet Jindal, has urged the court to stop the streaming of Ghooskhor Pandat.
Chaturvedi, an Acharya engaged in teaching Indian scriptures, claimed that the use of the term “Pandat” defames the Brahmin community. The plea states that the word historically symbolizes scholarship, ethics, and spiritual guidance, and alleges violations of Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution.
References have also been made to IPC Section 153A and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Directed by Ritesh Shah and co-written by Shah along with filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, who is also presenting the project, Ghooskhor Pandat stars Manoj Bajpayee as Ajay Dikshit, a corrupt police officer nicknamed “Pandat”.
The series is positioned as a thriller centered on corruption, power struggles, and a larger conspiracy unfolding in Delhi. The cast also includes Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, and Divya Dutta.
Meanwhile, supporters of the project argue that “Pandat” is used as a character nickname within a fictional narrative and is not intended to target any community. They also note that key creatives associated with the series, including Bajpayee and Pandey, come from Brahmin backgrounds.
Boycott calls against Netflix India have continued to trend online, with users questioning the platform’s content choices and raising concerns about caste representation in mainstream entertainment.
Netflix India and the production team have not issued any official response to the FIR, court petitions, or online criticism so far.
Earlier, speaking to PTI about the series, Manoj Bajpayee reflected on his connection to the setting, saying, “This story is set in a world I’ve spent many years of my life in. I did theatre there, I graduated from Delhi. I’ve always liked films set in Delhi, and I really enjoy working on them. I first saw Delhi outsider when I was 18 years old, and when I left, it was for Bandit Queen. Delhi’s lifestyle has always been very fascinating for me, especially portraying a police character in that environment. I enjoyed every day of working on this.”