Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 1 hr ago
Manoj Bajpayee’s Netflix film premieres as Gajab Raat after title row
Manoj Bajpayee’s Netflix thriller now premieres as Gajab Raat on October 23, after a dispute over its original title.
The film was first promoted as Ghooskhor Pandat, a name that drew objections from people who said it linked a community-identifying term with corruption.
The makers changed the title after public backlash and court action, including orders to remove the original promotional material.
Bajpayee says some people objected without seeing the film or its trailer, and that the change did not alter the release schedule.
Online trolls also posted pictures of his family, including his young daughter, prompting him to consult his legal team.
He says people he consulted advised him to ignore the attacks.
The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix, with Divya Dutta, Saqib Saleem, Shraddha Das and Akshay Oberoi among its cast.
Manoj Bajpayee’s Netflix thriller premieres on October 23 under the title Gajab Raat, after being renamed from Ghooskhor Pandat.
The original title drew objections from people who said it offended the Brahmin community.
The controversy led to an FIR, court proceedings and the withdrawal of the original promotional material.
Bajpayee said the people who objected had not seen the film or its trailer.
He also said trolls posted pictures of his family, including his young daughter, prompting him to consult his legal team.
- Who
- Manoj Bajpayee stars in the film, directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey.
- What
- The Netflix thriller, formerly titled Ghooskhor Pandat, premieres as Gajab Raat.
- When
- October 23, 2026.
- Where
- The film premieres on Netflix. The title controversy also involved legal proceedings in Delhi.
- Why
- The original title drew objections from people who said it associated a community-identifying term with corruption and bribery.
Film's makers
Title objectors
Title
Film's makers
The makers changed the title to Gajab Raat after objections.
Title objectors
Objectors said Ghooskhor Pandat offended the Brahmin community.
Character and title
Film's makers
Bajpayee said the character was not a Pandit by caste and that Pandat was a colloquial nickname.
Title objectors
Objectors took issue with the title’s association of a community-identifying term with corruption and bribery.
Netflix unveiled the film’s first teaser under the title Ghooskhor Pandat at its Next on Netflix 2026 event in Mumbai.
The title drew objections, and the Uttar Pradesh government ordered an FIR against the makers.
The Delhi High Court ordered the takedown of the original teaser and promotional material.
Producer Neeraj Pandey undertook to withdraw the original title in an affidavit accepted by the Supreme Court.
The film premieres on Netflix as Gajab Raat.
- New title
- Gajab Raat
- Previous title
- Ghooskhor Pandat
- Premiere date
- October 23, 2026
- Director
- Ritesh Shah
- Producer
- Neeraj Pandey
- Lead actor
- Manoj Bajpayee
3 sources
What people are saying
The objection came from the audience who hadn’t seen the film or the trailer. They were offended just by the title.
I am concerned about my family.
I was feeling that assault every hour.