Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has addressed the controversy surrounding the title of his film Ghooskhor Pandat by submitting an affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that the title has now been withdrawn.
In his submission, Neeraj Pandey clarified that the film will no longer carry the title Ghooskhor Pandat. He also told the court that the film is a completely fictional police drama and has no connection with any religion, caste or community. He added that there was no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments and assured that the film had been made purely for entertainment purposes.
The matter is scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court today. During the previous hearing, the court had pulled up the filmmaker, observing that it was aware of why such titles are chosen for films. The Supreme Court had also asked the makers to come up with a new title for the film.
On February 12, the top court heard the plea seeking a stay on the release of the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Ghooskhor Pandat on Netflix. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Central Board of Film Certification and Pandey on a plea against the movie. “Why should you denigrate a section of society by using such a title. Freedom of expression is one thing. That doesn’t give license to denigrate anybody. This is against morality and public order. We will not allow you to release the film unless you tell us the changed title. We thought filmmakers, journalists, etc are responsible people,” the bench said.
The top court then directed Pandey to file an affidavit that the film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ doesn’t denigrate any section of society. During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the filmmaker submitted that a new title has not been decided as yet and assured the court that it will be such that there will not be any conflict. “You make a submission that you will not have this title. We are fully respecting the right under Article 19(1)(a). But there are certain restrictions. We want to include the aspect of fraternity. It is one of the basic principles of the Constitution. We want to relate this matter to fraternity,” the bench observed.
Further adding, “Why can’t there be a restraint when you try to make this kind of division when there are already fissures in society. Why should you denigrate anybody? Why should you denigrate a section of society by this kind of title? Being woke is one thing. But denigrating the public and creating this kind of unrest. You are adding to the unrest.”
Ghooskhor Pandat was unveiled as a part of Netflix’s lineup of the year.
