Supreme Court closes ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ row after producer agrees to change name amid controversy

The Supreme Court on Thursday put a quietus to the controversy surrounding the upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat after its producer agreed to change its title following objections from the members of Brahmin community [Atul Mishra Versus Union Of India And Ors]..A Bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan observed that the controversy must now come to an end.“We find the stand taken by Respondent No. 3 [producer] to be appropriate. We take note of Para 5 of the affidavit. Respondent No. 3 has decided to change the title of the film Ghooskhor Pandat to any other name. The writ petition would not call for further consideration, and the same stands disposed of,” the Court said in its order.The Court added that the change of title should lead to closure of all proceedings related to the movie.“It is expected that there shall be a quietus to this controversy with respect to all proceedings, civil and criminal,” the Bench said..The Court made the intervention on a plea moved by Atul Mishra, National Organisation Secretary of the Brahman Samaj of India, against the release of the film on the ground that its title stereotyped and maligned the Brahmin community.During the last hearing, the Court had directed producer Neeraj Pandey to file an affidavit confirming the change of the film’s title along with the proposed new name.Today, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that the movie producer had not decided on any new title..Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for the producer, however, assured the Court that the title Ghooskhor Pandat has been unequivocally withdrawn and that a new title would be finalised soon.“The intent was never to reveal the storyline or defame any community or religious sentiments. The phrase is merely the protagonist’s nickname. It is about a bad cop becoming a good cop. The idea is not to defame anyone; it is simply a fictional crime drama,” Kaul added.At this point, Justice Nagarathna remarked, “There is nothing wrong with ‘Pandit’, but ‘Pandit’ with ‘Ghooskhor’ (bribe-taker)… We have a problem with the second word, not the first word.”Hearing this, Kaul told the Court that in a similar petition before the Delhi High Court, they had already given an assurance to change the film’s title."We have, in the spirit of what fell from the Court, both in the High Court and the Supreme Court, promptly and immediately withdrawn the title. We have not even contested on the principles of free speech, we have withdrawn it. Kindly put a quietus to it. Someone is filing FIR somewhere,” Kaul submitted.The Court eventually took note of the affidavit and disposed of the petition..Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, “There has been a very healthy and positive response from Respondent No. 3. [producer"Justice Nagarathna then remarked that the matter should be put to rest even in respect of YouTubers and other online users.Responding to this, Mehta said, “That is something which is uncontrollable. Social media is irresponsible and uncontrollable.”Justice Ujjal Bhuyan interjected, “Sometimes, irresponsibility is also good.”Mehta said the present generation was more interested in social media than mainstream media"You rarely find youngsters searching in The Economic Times or other newspapers..they derive their knowledge from social media,” SG Mehta added.Justice Nagarathna then referred to a Sanskrit saying from the Rig Veda:“Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.”Justice Bhuyan indicated that he would place his views on the matter separately. .Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.