Supreme Says ‘No Release’ Until Film Title Is Changed

Manoj Bajpayee’s Ghuskhor Pandit is yet to have a release but it already attracted controversy for its title. The film’s title loosely translates to corrupt priest and it triggered protests by individuals who demanded that the makers to change the title as it is casteist. In this matter, a new verdict has been issued by the Supreme Court of India.

The Supreme Court has directed the makers of the movie to change the title of the film as it is denigrating a particular community. Earlier to this, the Sarva Brahmin Mahasabha in Jaipur had strongly opposed the title, stating that the controversy extends beyond cinema or entertainment value.

In Bhopal, members of the Brahmin community have taken to the streets to protest against the film and its title. A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the film’s title.

As a reaction, Netflix immediately took down the teaser and promotional material. In its verdict today, a bench of the Supreme Court of India warned the respondent filmmakers that the Court cannot permit any section of society to be denigrated by the film’s title or by any offensive material in the film (if any).

“Why should you denigrate anybody. It’s against morality and public order. Being woke is one thing. But creating this kind of unrest when there is already unrest in the country. We thought filmmakers, journalists, etc., were all responsible people and were aware of exceptions and reasonable restrictions of Article 19 (1) (a) (Fundamental Right of Speech and Expression). You tell us what names you are suggesting for the title change. Issue notice to the respondents. No section of society should be denigrated. If you use your freedom to denigrate any section of society, we can’t permit it”, Justice Nagarathna verbally remarked.

The film revolves around a corrupt police officer whose plans for a profitable night are disrupted when he discovers a severely injured girl abandoned from a moving car in Delhi, leading him into an international conspiracy. Directed by Ritesh Shah, the film stars Manoj Bajpayee, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, Shraddha Das, Divya Dutta and others.

The next hearing in the case will happen on February 19th.