Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee has spoken out about the controversy surrounding his upcoming Netflix film Ghooskhor Pandat, revealing that he received threats and his family was subjected to online abuse after objections were raised over the film’s title.
The actor addressed the issue during a recent interaction, admitting that the backlash against the film caught the entire team by surprise.
The controversy erupted soon after Netflix announced its 2026 content slate, with Ghooskhor Pandat quickly drawing criticism over allegations that its title and content hurt religious sentiments. The matter escalated further when an FIR was filed against the makers.
Following widespread objections, the filmmakers issued a public apology and later informed the Delhi High Court that the project would be released under a new title.
“We Never Expected This,” Says Manoj Bajpayee
Reacting to the controversy, Manoj Bajpayee said the team acted swiftly to address concerns.
He stated that if any creative work genuinely hurts public sentiments, filmmakers should be willing to make corrections.
The actor also emphasized that changing the title was not a major issue, adding that creative teams can always come up with equally compelling alternatives.
Actor Reveals Receiving Threats
Bajpayee revealed that he personally received threats during the controversy but chose not to let it affect his professional commitments.
He said he continued travelling and working without fear, despite facing intense trolling and abuse on social media.
The actor also expressed concern over the way his family was dragged into the controversy, saying such reactions reflected growing impatience and lack of understanding on social media platforms.
Criticises Social Media Outrage
The National Award-winning actor criticized the tendency of people to form opinions without fully understanding the subject matter.
He said he has no interest in engaging in arguments with people who react impulsively without educating themselves about the issue.
Bajpayee added that responding to such negativity is often futile and compared it to getting dragged into unnecessary conflict.
Film Undergoes Changes
The teaser of the film, unveiled during Netflix’s “Next on Netflix 2026” event, was later removed amid the controversy.
The project stars Manoj Bajpayee alongside Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, and Divya Dutta.
Written by Neeraj Pandey and Ritesh Shah, the film marks Ritesh Shah’s directorial debut and is now expected to release under a revised title.
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