Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy: Netizens SLAM Netflix India Over Title Of Manoj Bajpayee's Film, Multiple Complaints Filed
· Free Press Journal

Netflix India announced its slate for 2026 at a grand event in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 3). One of the films announced was Manoj Bajpayee's Ghooskhor Pandat. Set in Delhi, the film revolves around a corrupt police officer, Ajay Dikshit, popularly known as Pandat, whose quest to make easy money spirals out of control after he gets caught up in a far-reaching conspiracy.
Soon after the first look video of Ghooskhor Pandat was unveiled by the makers, it received immense backlash from a section of social media users.
Next On Netflix India: Sunny Deol-Akshaye Khanna's Ikka, Bhuvan Bam's Dhindora 2, Karan Kundrra-Tejasswi Prakash's Desi Bling & MoreWhile some called out its title as casteist and accused it of normalising hatred against a particular community, others argued that the film unfairly targets the Brahmin community, with several posts warning Netflix of a possible "mass boycott." Others went a step further, demanding that the streaming platform change the title of the film immediately.
According to several media reports, complaints have been lodged across the country against Netflix India over the title of the film.
According to the complainants, the use of the term in the show’s title is objectionable and could reinforce negative stereotypes, thereby hurting the sentiments of a particular community. They have urged authorities to intervene and take appropriate action against the streaming platform.
Hello @NetflixIndia, normalisation of hatred against Pandits & Brahmins won’t be tolerated. I’ll see you in Court.
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) February 3, 2026
CC: @MIB_India @GoI_MeitY pic.twitter.com/TKUnjweViE
Reportedly, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken note of the issue and is aware of the complaints filed against Netflix India. The matter may be examined under existing content and broadcasting regulations to determine whether the title violates any guidelines.
Here's how netizens reacted to the film's title:
“Ghooskhor Pandat” isn’t accidental. If corruption was the point, the title could have been Officer, Babu, or Netaji. But Bollywood’s old habit remains. Demonise Brahmins and dress it up as “art.”@NetflixIndia, you know exactly what you are doing, and this won’t be tolerated… pic.twitter.com/JdKNVWMoeI
— Hindu Network Foundation (@hindufund_) February 4, 2026
हाल ही में Netflix ने एक Teaser लॉन्च किया है। उनकी इस फ़िल्म का नाम Ghooskhor Pandat रखा गया है।
— Jaiky Yadav (@JaikyYadav16) February 4, 2026
इस फ़िल्म का टाइटल सरासर ग़लत और अपमानजनक है, लेकिन गौर करने वाली बात यह है कि
इस फ़िल्म के Writer और Director का नाम: नीरज पाण्डेय
इस फ़िल्म के Lead Actor का नाम: मनोज बाजपेई… pic.twitter.com/mIMPkjuwMF
“Ghooskhor Pandat” सीधे सीधे एक समाज को अपमानित करने, उसे नीचा दिखाने का प्रयास है। अगर अब भी आप सीखे ख़िलाफ़ बोल नहीं का रहे हैं, लिख नहीं पा रहे हैं तो फिर आपको आत्मचिंतन करना चाहिए।
— samiksha Mishra⚔️ SitaLakshmi (@_SamikshaMishra) February 4, 2026
#ShameOnNetflix
डियर @NetflixIndia इस मूवी का नाम "Ghooskhor Pandat"आपत्तिजनक है, इससे मेरा और मेरे #ब्राह्मण_समाज का भावनाएं आहत हो रही है, कृपया जल्द सुधार करें ये 24 घंटे का अल्टीमेटम है, वॉर्न #BoycottNetflix के लिए तैयार रहें।
— Sapan Pandey (@SapanPandey0) February 3, 2026
क्या आपमें हिम्मत है "Ghooskhor Dalit" या "Ghooskhor Mulla"… pic.twitter.com/K3mICwzBbC
He @NetflixIndia change name from PANDAT. It is provoking castes and sentiments harassment for me and my cast fellows https://t.co/9OXMbGnF7c
— मनोज रत्न (@manoj_rattan) February 4, 2026
Good promotional tactics by Netflix and Neeraj Pandey.
— Kunal Gaurav (@desipatrakar) February 4, 2026
I'm sure they finalised 'Ghooskhor', and added Pandat just to remove it after a considerable amount of outrage.
“Ghooskhor Pandat” Jaldi hi Boycott hone wala hai
— its Bharat (@its_bharatj) February 4, 2026
WTF NetFliX....
हेलो .@BajpayeeManoj@NetflixIndia
यह नाम Ghooskhor Pandat तुरंत बदला जाए। अन्यथा आपका खुलकर विरोध होगा। #GhooskhorPandat pic.twitter.com/8AVyYkjTYQ
फिल्म निर्माता 'नीरज पाण्डेय' के निर्देशन में Netflix पर Ghooskhor Pandat का टीजर रिलीज हो चुका है !
— Vishal Pandey (@Vishal_aawaj) February 4, 2026
मुख्य किरदार में 'मनोज बाजपेयी' रहेंगे !
पैसे के पॉवर पर किस तरह से ब्राह्मणों के द्वारा ही 'ब्राह्मण समुदाय' को बदनाम करने की साजिश रची गई है !
हम लोग Netflix के इस बेहूदा… pic.twitter.com/pl4fKkMyRn
Shame on you, @NetflixIndia. The title “Ghooskhor Pandat” is straight up Casteist garbage.
— Nyaksha (@AstuteNyaksha) February 4, 2026
You know exactly what you were doing. You didn’t say “Ghooskhor Officer” or “Ghooskhor Babu.” You picked Pandit, a caste marker. That’s not satire, that’s deliberate soft-targeting a… pic.twitter.com/BMNthIHqKH
Neither Netflix India nor the makers of the show have issued an official statement in response to the allegations so far. Manoj Bajpayee, who headlines the film, has also not commented on the controversy at this stage.
Meanwhile, during the event, the team of Ghooskhor Pandat shared, "It is a one-night thriller that follows the corrupt and morally bankrupt police officer Ajay Dikshit, as an unexpected encounter disrupts his plans and draws him into a chain of events far larger than anticipated. Set in Delhi and unfolding over the course of a single night, the film is driven by a situation wherein a girl is thrown out of a moving car, and the cop accompanies the injured girl to the hospital, leading to the unfolding of multiple situations."
'Tara Singh & Rehman Dakait Crossover': Sunny Deol And Akshaye Khanna Team For Netflix's Courtroom Drama Ikka; Netizens Can't Keep Calm - Watch Teaser"Led by Manoj Bajpayee, Ghooskhor Pandat allows the story to unfold through action and setting. We thank Netflix for partnering with us and for providing a platform for the film to reach audiences worldwide," the team added.