Recently, Netflix India announced a new film titled Ghooskhor Pandit, starring Manoj Bajpayee as a police officer. The character is shown as corrupt, and the title of the film links corruption with the word “Pandat,” which is associated with the Brahmin community. This immediately led to strong public outrage. Many people felt that the title was casteist and unfair, as it appeared to connect an entire community with a negative trait.
Following the backlash, complaints were filed in court, and the issue gained wider attention. In response, Netflix and the makers of the film acted cautiously. All promotional material related to the film was taken down, and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey released a statement clarifying that the story and character were fictional and not meant to target any caste or community.
While it is good that the platform and the people involved recognised the problem and responded quickly, a larger question still remains. Would the makers have used a similar title if it referred to another caste or community. This is where the discomfort lies. Certain communities often become easy targets, while others are treated with caution. This uneven approach reflects a deeper issue in how caste is handled in popular culture.
The decision to withdraw promotions is a welcome step, but it should also lead to deeper reflection. Art has power and influence, and it should not become a tool to normalise or spread caste-based prejudice. Ideally, art should challenge discrimination, not reinforce it.