New Delhi: Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that the controversial title of the upcoming film, which was earlier titled ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’, has been “categorically withdrawn” and assured that the film does not insult or target any religion or community.
Denying allegations of hurting religious sentiments, the producer submitted: “I clearly and unequivocally state that neither I nor my production house had any deliberate or malicious intention to outrage religious sentiments of any section of the citizens of India.”
He further said that the film “does not insult or attempt to insult any religion, or community or religious beliefs of any section of the citizens of India, whether through words, visual depiction, title, promotional material, electronic means or otherwise.”
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Referring to the objections raised after the teaser release on February 3, the affidavit said the promotional material was withdrawn within a few days.
It said, “After considering the concerns received from members of the public…the aforesaid withdrew the promotional material related to the film on 6 February 2026,” clarifying that there was “no intention to offend any religion, caste or community.”
The producer informed the apex court that the disputed title would no longer be used. “I respectfully submit that the previous title, ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’, has been categorically withdrawn and shall not be used in any manner,” the affidavit said.
It added that any new title yet to be finalized “will not be similar to, or suggestive of, the earlier title” and will accurately reflect the narrative without giving rise to unintended interpretations.
The affidavit clarified that the film is “a fictional police drama that revolves around a criminal investigation” and “does not portray any caste, religion, community or sect as corrupt.”
The manufacturer additionally placed on record that a similar writ petition raising similar concerns was earlier filed before the Delhi High Court. It said the Delhi High Court, in an order passed on February 10, disposed of the petition after recording a statement saying that the title would be changed, adding that there was nothing left to adjudicate.
Pandey prayed that the petition before the Supreme Court be disposed of on equal terms.
This affidavit comes after the Supreme Court on February 12 had strongly reprimanded the filmmakers over the title ‘Ghooshkhor Pundit’ and said that freedom of speech and expression cannot be used as a license to defame a section of the society.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan had issued notices to the Centre, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the film producer, while indicating that the film will not be allowed to be released unless the title is changed.
“Freedom of speech and expression does not mean that you can portray a community in a bad light,” the top court had remarked, warning that such naming could disturb social harmony at a time when social tension already exists.
The PIL filed before the Supreme Court alleged that the title and story of the film promote caste and religion-based stereotyping and hurt the dignity and religious sentiments of the Brahmin community.
It argued that equating the caste identifier “Pandit” with “Ghooskhor” (bribe taker) creates derogatory stereotyping against an identifiable community and violates Articles 14, 19(2), 21, 25 and 51A(E) of the Constitution.
The petition filed by Atul Mishra, National Organization Secretary of the Indian Brahmin Society, through advocate Dr. Vinod Kumar Tiwari has sought instructions to ban the release or screening of the film in its current form.
In the previous hearing, the lawyer appearing for filmmaker Pandey said that the trailer had already been removed from the social media platform and the title of the film was being changed. The Supreme Court had then directed the producer to file an affidavit placing on record the steps taken including the proposed change of title.