Mumbai, February 6: Netflix’s upcoming web series ‘Bribe-Taking Priest’ has sparked controversy even before its release. The title has drawn objections from certain factions within the Brahmin community.
The situation escalated quickly, leading to a petition in the Delhi High Court, an FIR in Lucknow, and protests across various parts of the country. Amidst this turmoil, the series’ lead actor, Manoj Bajpayee, has broken his silence. He shared a statement from filmmaker Neeraj Pandey on the social media platform X.
In his post, Bajpayee emphasized the importance of respecting people’s feelings. He stated, “I respect and take seriously the emotions and concerns shared by the public. When you are part of something that hurts some individuals, it compels you to pause, reflect, and listen. As an actor, I connect with a film or series through my character and story. For me, this was an attempt to portray a flawed individual and his journey of self-awareness. It was not intended to make any statement about any community.”
Bajpayee also mentioned his long experience working with director Neeraj Pandey. He noted, “Working with Neeraj Pandey, I have always seen him approach his films with seriousness and caution. Considering public sentiment, the filmmakers have decided to remove all promotional material.”
The controversy began when the first look and teaser of ‘Bribe-Taking Priest’ were unveiled at Netflix’s ‘Next on Netflix’ event. Almost immediately, objections arose regarding the title. Critics argued that using the negative term ‘Bribe-Taking’ alongside ‘Priest’ tarnishes the image of the Brahmin community.
Following this, a lawyer from Mumbai sent a legal notice, a petition was filed in the Delhi High Court, and an FIR was registered in Lucknow. Protests erupted in several cities, including Bhopal, demanding a ban on the series.
In response to the growing backlash, director Neeraj Pandey issued an official statement clarifying that the series is a completely fictional police drama and that the term ‘Priest’ refers to a fictional character. He acknowledged that the title has hurt some individuals, which is why the decision was made to remove all promotional materials for now.