Amid the controversy over Manoj Bajpayee starrer ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’, the Uttar Pradesh government Friday ordered an FIR against the film’s director over the title which, it said, has caused widespread anger among the Brahmin community.
A teaser of the upcoming movie, which was released recently and is being promoted on Netflix, had caused uproar, with several political leaders, including BSP chief Mayawati, and the VHP condemning the title.
Officers confirmed that a case has been lodged against the director and his team at Lucknow’s Hazratganj police station on charges of attempting to spread social discord, hurting religious and caste sentiments, and disturbing public peace and law and order.
The Yogi Adityanath government’s prompt move to initiate legal action comes in the wake of allegations that it has been working against the Brahmin community in the state. Over the past month, the ruling party found itself putting out fires following protests over the “equity regulations” notified by the University Grants Commission (UGC) — later stayed by the Supreme Court — and the alleged manhandling of Jyotirmath’s “Shankaracharya” Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in Prayagraj.
Police action
According to Station House Officer (SHO) of Hazratganj police station, Vikram Singh, police took cognizance of the film being promoted on Netflix as well as its content being shared on social media. The title and its promotional material were found to be objectionable at first glance, he said.
He added that the FIR mentions the aspect of caste-based insult, stating that the film’s title appears to have been deliberately chosen to target and insult a particular community/caste (Brahmins).
According to the government, the FIR also states that the film’s promotion is aimed at “disturbing social harmony”. It said there is widespread anger among the Brahmin community and various social organisations regarding the film’s name and content, and several organisations have warned of aggressive protests against it. This significantly increased the possibility of disruption to public peace and law and order.
A government spokesperson said considering the sensitivity of the situation, police took immediate action.
Police also said prima facie, it appears that the director and his team allegedly promoted the film with the intent to spread social discord, disrupt peace, and damage communal harmony. They said subsequent action will be taken based on available evidence, promoted content, and applicable legal provisions during the course of the probe.
The promotional teaser has since been removed from social media sites. The Indian Express reached out to Netflix but has yet to get a response. The I&B ministry declined to comment on the matter.
Director Neeraj Pandey shared a post on X, which read: “Our film is a fictional cop drama and the term ‘Pandat’ is simply used as a colloquial name for a fictional character… As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility… we understand that the title… has caused hurt to some viewers… and have decided to take down all promotional material for the time being…”
Bajpayee also wrote on X: “… This was not meant to be a statement about any community… The filmmakers have decided to take down the promotional material, in light of the public sentiment…”
Mayawati, meanwhile, demanded that the Centre immediately impose a ban on the “casteist” movie.
“It is a matter of deep sorrow and concern that for some time now — not only in Uttar Pradesh but now even in films — the term ‘Pandit’ is being portrayed as synonymous with bribery and corruption, thereby insulting and disrespecting the entire community across the country. This has led to intense anger and resentment within the Brahmin community. Our party strongly condemns this in the harshest words,” she wrote in a post on X.
“The BSP demands that the central government immediately impose a ban on such caste-targeting films (web series) like ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’. At the same time, the registration of an FIR by the Lucknow Police in this matter is an appropriate step,” the former UP CM added.
A balancing act
While claims of “bias” against Brahmins have been simmering for a while, recent incidents — UGC’s regulations and the Shankaracharya row — have led to a growing unease in the BJP over losing support among upper caste voters, who form a crucial vote bank for the party in the state, especially with the 2027 polls drawing closer.
The UGC regulations had seen protests by groups claiming they could be used to “harass” general category students and create “caste divisions”. It also saw several BJP office-bearers resigning in protest, including Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer Alankar Agnihotri.
The row between Swami Saraswati and the BJP added to the tensions, with the latter demanding that CM Adityanath provide “proof of being a Hindu”. The Opposition Samajwadi Party and Congress were quick to extend their support to the seer, with the former accusing the BJP of “disrespecting Sanatan Dharma”.
These developments also came in the backdrop of 40 Brahmin MLAs and MLCs of the BJP meeting at the residence of Kushinagar MLA P N Pathak in Lucknow, during the UP Assembly’s Winter Session last December, to discuss alleged bias against the community in the state. This had prompted a stern warning from the leadership, including UP BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary, against holding any meetings based on their caste groupings.
To be sure, the BJP central leadership has sought to strike a balance while ensuring representation to Brahmins in the UP Cabinet and state organisation. In both the 2017 and 2022 terms of the state government, the Deputy CM position went to Brahmins — Dinesh Sharma and Brajesh Pathak respectively. Currently, there are seven Brahmin ministers in Yogi Adityanath’s 54-member cabinet.
The BSP has also been making attempts to woo the Brahmin community.
Addressing the media on her 70th birthday last month, Mayawati had made a pitch for upper caste outreach and said only the BSP government fulfilled the Brahmins’ desires for respect, representation, and sources of livelihood.
This was a calibrated shift from last year when the BSP revived “bhaichara committees” to form social alliances of Dalits — its key voter base — with the Muslims and OBCs in the state but did not restore its “Brahmin bhaichara committee”.
A senior BSP functionary had then said “upper castes will form an association with the BSP when they see that their interests are protected in this party”.