The Netflix thriller, originally titled Ghooskhor Pandat, has been officially titled Gajab Raat. The movie stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role and has been directed by Neeraj Pandey. The name change came following widespread backlash, police complaints and court interventions.
Ghooskhor Pandat Controversy
When Netflix announced the film, the title combined "Ghooskhor" (a colloquial term for a bribe-taker) with "Pandat" (a variation of Pandit). Critics, political groups and public petitioners argued that the title stereotyped and defamed the Brahmin community.
Legal actions against Ghooskhor Pandat
- An FIR was registered against the director and team in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).
- PILs and petitions were filed in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
- A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan at the Supreme Court reprimanded the filmmakers.
Director Neeraj Pandey filed an affidavit in February 2026 and withdrew the original title. Netflix and the makers officially changed the title to Gajab Raat.
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What did Manoj Bajpayee say about Ghooskhor Pandat controversy?
Manoj Bajpayee clarified that the film's title referred to a specific fictional Delhi Police character nicknamed "Pandat" rather than targeting any community or religion.
He explained that the character is not a "Pandit" by caste, but goes by the colloquial nickname "Pandat" given by the police department.
When is Gajab Raat releasing on OTT?
Gajab Raat will stream on Netflix from October 23, 2026.
FAQs
What is the plot of Gajab Raat?
The story unfolds over the course of a single chaotic night in New Delhi after a young woman is brutally thrown out of a moving vehicle in Connaught Place. Ajay Dixit (played by Manoj Bajpayee), a morally conflicted and pragmatic police officer, is assigned to investigate the crime.
Who is in the cast of Gajab Raat?
The film stars Manoj Bajpayee as the lead cop, alongside Nushrratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Divya Dutta, Kiku Sharda and Akshay Oberoi.