‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ Row Escalates: Protests Turn Violent As Effigies Of Manoj Bajpayee, Neeraj Pandey Are Burnt

The controversy surrounding Neeraj Pandey’s upcoming film Ghooskhor Pandat has intensified as protests erupt across cities, with effigies burnt and demands for a ban growing louder.

Protesters burn effigies during demonstrations against the upcoming film Ghooskhor Pandat.

Source : PTI

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The controversy surrounding filmmaker Neeraj Pandey’s upcoming project Ghooskhor Pandat has moved beyond online criticism and into public spaces, triggering protests in multiple cities. Demonstrators have taken to the streets, burning effigies of the film’s producer and lead actor Manoj Bajpayee, accusing the makers of using an offensive title that allegedly targets the Brahmin community.

As opposition intensifies, calls for a ban on the film and even the streaming platform hosting it have begun to grow louder.

Protests Erupt Across Cities, Effigies Burnt

(Image Source: PTI)

In Prayagraj, demonstrators gathered at Subhash Chowk on Friday, where effigies of producer Neeraj Pandey, director Ritesh Shah, and the film’s actors were set ablaze. Protesters alleged that the film was deliberately made to insult Hindu priests and Brahmins by pairing the word ‘ghooskhor’, commonly associated with corruption, with ‘Pandat’, a colloquial term used for Brahmins.

The protestors demanded that Netflix, the platform slated to release the film, be banned, accusing the creators of intentionally provoking religious sentiments.

Indore Protest Turns Sharper, Threats Issued

#WATCH | Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Brahmin community protests against Netflix’s upcoming film 'Ghooskhor Pandat' in Indore. pic.twitter.com/qlUsni0aj3

— ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2026

A similar demonstration unfolded in Indore, where members of the Brahmin community staged a protest and burnt effigies of Netflix and Manoj Bajpayee. The agitation was led by members of the Parshuram Sena, who issued stern warnings if their demands were ignored.

A protester said, “We oppose the film; it should be banned, otherwise Manoj Bajpayee and Neeraj Pandey will have their faces blackened. We demand that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Censor Board ban this film.”

What Sparked The Controversy?

Ghooskhor Pandat is a thriller that features Manoj Bajpayee in the role of a corrupt police officer who goes by the nickname ‘Pandat’. Following the backlash, Neeraj Pandey released a statement clarifying that the film does not target any community and was never intended to hurt religious or caste sentiments.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Pandey also announced that all promotional material related to the film, including its first-look teaser, was being taken down. Subsequently, the Bharatiya Janata Party claimed that this step was taken on the directions of the Centre.

Legal Action And Political Reactions

The matter has now landed before the Delhi High Court, with a writ petition filed seeking a halt on the film’s release. At the same time, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, asking for its response. Separately, a case has been registered in Lucknow against the makers of Ghooskhor Pandat for allegedly hurting religious and caste sentiments. The action has received support from the BJP, giving the row a clear political edge.

The film was slated to premiere on Netflix later this year, although the streaming platform has yet to confirm an exact release date.