New Delhi

Netflix India on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that the title of its upcoming Manoj Bajpayee-starrer film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ will be changed, following objections that it was offensive and defamatory.

The submission was made before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who was hearing a petition seeking a stay on the film’s release over its controversial title.

Recording the statement, the court noted that the producer had taken a conscious decision to rename the film in view of concerns raised, opting for an alternative title that better reflects the narrative and intent of the project.

Netflix’s senior counsel told the court that the film, currently in the editing stage, is a fictional police drama and that the original title had resulted in unintended controversy inconsistent with the content of the film. The court was also informed that all promotional material related to the earlier title has been withdrawn.

In light of Netflix’s stand, the court closed the petition, observing that no further adjudication was required.

The film, directed by Neeraj Pandey, had drawn sharp criticism on social media after its announcement earlier this month, with several users terming the title casteist and derogatory.

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The petitioner, Mahender Chaturvedi, an acharya by profession, contended that linking the term “pandat” with bribery amounted to a malicious attack on the dignity and reputation of his community. The plea argued that creative freedom could not be invoked to justify content that allegedly insults religious and cultural identity.