Indian Authorities File FIR Over Netflix Film Title

A controversy erupted over the title of the upcoming Netflix film "Ghooskhor Pandat," prompting Indian authorities to order the removal of its promotional materials and leading to a police complaint against the film's director in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, last week.

The film, a fictional crime thriller starring Manoj Bajpayee as a corrupt police officer named Ajay Dikshit, who is nicknamed "Pandat," drew widespread criticism shortly after its teaser was released online in early February. Many viewers and public figures interpreted the title, which translates roughly to "Corrupt Priest," as derogatory toward the Brahmin community, accusing it of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Social media users and commentators expressed outrage, arguing that the term "Pandat" historically evokes images of scholarship and spiritual guidance, and its pairing with "Ghooskhor" demeaned an entire social group.

In response to the backlash, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed local police to file a first information report (FIR) against director Neeraj Pandey at Lucknow's Hazratganj station late Thursday. The FIR accuses Pandey of promoting social animosity, injuring religious and...