Mumbai, February 7: The upcoming film ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ starring Manoj Bajpayee is facing significant backlash over its title. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has raised strong objections, labeling the title as derogatory.
FWICE represents artists, technicians, and other staff through 36 affiliated unions in the film and television industry. The federation claims that the title is offensive to a particular community and their traditional livelihoods. They have reached out to several organizations, including the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association, Producers Guild of India, Indian Film and Television Producers Council, Western India Film and TV Producers Association, and OTT platforms like Amazon, Netflix, ZEE5, and Disney+ Hotstar, urging them to intervene.
In their letter, FWICE stated that the title ‘Ghooskhor Pandit’ has the potential to hurt sentiments, spread misunderstandings, and disrupt social harmony. The federation believes that discrimination based on caste, religion, creed, or profession should not exist in society. Every profession deserves respect and dignity. The film industry, while being a medium of freedom of expression, also has a social responsibility; thus, titles and content should not promote hate, disrespect, or unrest.
FWICE has appealed to Neeraj Pandey and his production house, Friday Filmworks, to withdraw the title immediately in the broader interest of social harmony and unity. They have also requested that the producer’s unit refrain from registering or continuing with such inflammatory or controversial titles.
The letter included a clear warning that if corrective measures are not taken promptly, FWICE will instruct all affiliated unions and hundreds of members to distance themselves from any projects by Neeraj Pandey or Friday Filmworks. FWICE hopes that all relevant organizations will recognize the seriousness of this issue and take appropriate action in the interest of the industry and society.