Manoj Bajpayee Faces Backlash Over Film Title

Actor Manoj Bajpayee has disclosed the intense backlash and threats his team faced over the original title of his upcoming Netflix film, 'Ghooskhor Pandat.' The controversy, which included trolling and online abuse, extended to his family. Bajpayee mentioned that the filmmakers issued an apology within two days of the backlash and were open to changing the title, viewing it as a minor issue for creative professionals.

The initial teaser for the film, unveiled by Netflix, was subsequently removed following objections to the title. Legal actions were also initiated, prompting the makers to confirm a retitling of the movie. However, the new title and release date have not yet been revealed.

Bajpayee stated that while the controversy affected the team for a period, they focused on assessing the situation without succumbing to mental distress. He received threats but maintained a fearless demeanor during his travels. The actor expressed empathy for those resorting to such criticism and noted that audiences often react without understanding the film's actual content, attributing this to impatience on social media.

Filmmakers acknowledged the hurt caused by the title, with Neeraj Pandey clarifying that 'Pandat' was used as a character's nickname and not an attack on any community. The film, also starring Nushrratt Bharuccha and others, is written by Pandey and marks Ritesh Shah's directorial debut. Legal proceedings in the Supreme Court saw the makers provide an undertaking to change the title, a move noted by the bench as potentially resolving the core grievance.