Mumbai: Addressing the controversy surrounding his upcoming film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’, actor Manoj Bajpayee said, people today are increasingly quick to take offence, adding that outrage often precedes a proper understanding of the context.
His comments have reignited the debate around creative freedom and public sensitivity in the entertainment industry.
In a conversation with News18 Showsha, when asked “How much caution is enough caution?”, Manoj said, “bohot dhyan rakhna.”
He continued, “We are living in a time, worldwide I am saying. I mean, look at the US or any other country, we are living in a time when everybody is ready to be offended. It’s as if everyone is ready to take offense, like, ‘Ajao mujhe offend karo, main
subah se baitha hoon; kisi ne 12 baje tak nahi kiya hai, toh kardo, tab main khana khaunga.’ (Come on, offend me; I’ve been sitting since morning and no one has done it yet. Do it by 12 so I can have my meal.)”
Stating that when people are this sensitive to everything, one has to be very careful, he added, “In such times, one has to be conscious because you don’t want unnecessary attention to the film which you have made with a lot of blood and sweat. Film mein ek jaane ki mehnat nahi hoti, sab ki mehnat lagi hoti hai. I mean, everybody’s life and career is at stake. (A film is not the effort of just one person; it involves everyone’s contribution.)”
Hoping for a better world, the actor concluded, “Hum us time mein reh rahe hain jahan hume sochna padega. Haan, hum zarur us time ki kalpana karte hain jahan koi offend nahi hoga. (We are living in a time where we have to think carefully. But, we do imagine a time when no one gets offended at all.)”
The controversy centres on the film’s title, ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’, which roughly translates to “Corrupt Pandit.”
Critics have objected to the use of the word “Pandat,” arguing that it is closely associated with the Brahmin community and could perpetuate negative stereotypes.
As the backlash intensified, the makers issued a public apology for any hurt caused and announced that the film’s title would be changed.