Manoj Bajpayee and Ritesh Shah Discuss Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy

Director Ritesh Shah and actor Manoj Bajpayee have expressed surprise at the recent controversy regarding their upcoming thriller, originally titled Ghooskhor Pandat and now renamed Gajab Raat. Following objections from members of the Brahmin community, who claimed the original title was offensive, the filmmakers decided to change it rather than alter the narrative or completed film.

In an interview prior to the film's release, Ritesh Shah acknowledged that they never intended to offend anyone. He emphasised, “The intention is never to cause any hurt,” and reflected on how the team felt taken aback by the backlash. Shah explained that they were initially shocked and began questioning themselves, contemplating whether their choice of title was thoughtless.

The director noted the importance of acknowledging hurt feelings without compromising the film’s integrity. “You cannot harm the story either. You need to find something that is even more appropriate,” Shah stated, highlighting their immediate response to the public outcry.

Bajpayee added that they had already been considering other titles before any objections were raised. He remarked, “I must tell you we had four other titles with us,” indicating that the creative team was exploring various options throughout the process.

Despite the tension surrounding the title, Shah confirmed that no changes were made to the film's storyline. “The story is such that if they had more context, even they would not have objected to the title,” he said. This sentiment was echoed by Bajpayee, who reinforced that they never anticipated such strong reactions.

The controversy surrounding the film's original title first came to public attention earlier this year when the term 'Pandat' was combined with implications of corruption, igniting backlash across social media. As the situation escalated, the matter reached the courts, prompting the title change.

Bajpayee also addressed the personal impact of the controversy, expressing concern for his family when threats arose from the public disputes. He said, “I’ve developed a thick skin, but when nameless, faceless people started dragging my family into it... that’s when I felt concerned.”

Despite the turmoil, the film retains its initial narrative and is set to premiere on Netflix. Directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey, Gajab Raat features an ensemble cast including Divya Dutta, Saqib Saleem, and Shraddha Das. The film follows a police officer drawn into a complex web of betrayal and conspiracy over a single night.

As the release date approaches, both Bajpayee and Shah appear committed to maintaining a respectful conversation with their audience, reiterating their aim to create work that resonates with viewers rather than alienate them. The team hopes Gajab Raat will still find favour with audiences despite the earlier controversy.