'Sensibilities are Fragile': SC Accepts Neeraj Pandey's Undertaking to Drop 'Ghooskhor Pandat' Title
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday (February 19) recorded an undertaking from producer-director Neeraj Pandey that he would drop the title Ghooskhor Pandat for his upcoming film. While accepting the affidavit and ordering closure of the proceedings, the bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna observed that “sensibilities are fragile” in the present climate, The Hindu reported.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, associated judge on the bench, said he agreed with the order but intended to pen a separate opinion. When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, suggested that the dispute had been resolved and a quietus reached, Justice Bhuyan responded, “Don’t prevent me from expressing my views.”
During the hearing, Justice Bhuyan reflected on whether entertaining such pleas might open a Pandora’s box. Justice Nagarathna, meanwhile, remarked that audiences should not become “over-sensitive”.
In his affidavit, Pandey said: "I respectfully submit that the earlier title, Ghooskhor Pandat, stands unequivocally withdrawn and shall not be used in any manner whatsoever. While the new title has not yet been finalised, I undertake that any title that may hereafter be identified and adopted shall not be similar to, or evocative of, the earlier title in respect of which objections were raised and shall accurately reflect the narrative and intent of the film without giving rise to unintended interpretations."
The court was considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Atul Mishra, National Organisation Secretary of the Brahman Samaj of India, seeking to halt the release of the film, which is slated to stream on Netflix. The petitioner argued that both the title and storyline were prima facie offensive and defamatory towards the Brahmin community. The petitioner particularly raised objection to the pairing of “Pandat” – a caste-identifying term – with “Ghooskhor”, a word associated with bribery and corruption.
According to the plea, the film fostered caste- and religion-based stereotypes and posed a risk to public order and communal harmony. The counsel for the petitioner maintained that the portrayal linked the community with corruption. Justice Nagarathna questioned how such conclusions could be drawn authoritatively about a film that had not yet been released, TH report added.
Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Pandey, requested that the court note that the filmmakers “never had any intention to hurt the sentiments of a community”.
Calling Pandey's decision to abandon the title as “healthy and positive,” the bench observed that stepping back was a prudent move, especially considering potential consequences had they persisted with the original name.
The film, produced by Pandey and directed by Ritesh Shah, stars Manoj Bajpayee, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi and Divya Dutta.
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
