The legal notice was sent by advocate Ashutosh Dubey soon after the teaser of Ghooskhor Pandat was unveiled at a public event. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee as senior inspector Ajay Dixit, a Delhi police officer nicknamed “Pandat.” According to the teaser, Ajay joined the force as a sub-inspector two decades ago but remains stuck at the same rank, earning a reputation for corruption.
Mumbai advocate sends legal notice to Netflix for ‘offensive’ title
In the notice, Ashutosh Dubey described the title Ghooskhor Pandat as “per se offensive” and constitutionally objectionable. He argued that the word “Ghooskhor,” commonly associated with bribery and corruption, when combined with “Pandit,” amounts to a direct attack on the dignity of a community. The notice claimed that the title attaches “criminality and moral depravity” to a term that traditionally symbolises scholarship, spirituality, ethical conduct, and social respect.
The advocate further stated that “Pandit” is not a casual fictional label but a word deeply rooted in Indian civilisation. According to the notice, its usage in a derogatory context harms the collective reputation of a community that has historically been associated with intellectual and religious leadership. Ashutosh highlighted that corruption is an individual moral failing and should not be projected as a community trait through a film title.
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The notice also questioned the makers’ creative choice, alleging that opting for a community-linked term instead of a neutral or fictional name shows “reckless disregard” for social sensitivity. It accused the project of attempting to sensationalise its narrative by stereotyping a particular group, rather than focusing on individual character flaws.
No response from Netflix yet
The notice asserted that freedom of expression does not extend to humiliating or vilifying a community under the guise of satire or fiction. It added that such portrayals cross legal and ethical limits, especially when the potential for social harm is foreseeable and widespread.
The advocate has demanded the immediate withdrawal or modification of the title, warning of further legal action if the issue is not addressed. As of now, Netflix and the makers of Ghooskhor Pandat have not issued any official statement in response to the notice.