New Delhi: The Supreme Court said on Thursday it won’t permit the release of Netflix film ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’ unless the filmmakers file an affidavit confirming that the title has been withdrawn and putting on record the new name.
“Freedom of expression is one thing. That doesn’t give licence to denigrate anybody,” a bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan stated
Hearing a PIL objecting to the title on the ground that it defamed and stereotyped the Brahmin community, the top court sought clarity from the producers.
“What is the name of the film now?” the court asked.
Producer-director Neeraj Pandey’s counsel said that the original title had been withdrawn, but a decision on the new name had not been taken. “We have not been able to decide on the new title. We can assure that it will be such that there will not be any conflict,” the counsel said.
The court was not satisfied with the oral assurance.
“You make a submission that you will not have this title. We are fully respecting the right under Article 19(1)(a). But there are certain restrictions. We want to include the aspect of fraternity. It is one of the basic principles of the Constitution,” the bench said.
The court rapped the filmmakers, questioning the need to choose a title that could deepen existing social fissures.
“Why can’t there be restraint when you try to make this kind of division when there are already fissures in society? Why should you denigrate anybody? Why should you denigrate a section of society by this kind of title?” the top court asked.
“Being woke is one thing. But denigrating the public and creating this kind of unrest…you are adding to the unrest,” the bench added.
Reminding the film industry and the media of their responsibilities, the Supreme Court said: “We thought filmmakers, journalists, etc, were responsible people. You tell us the new name, otherwise, we will not permit release of this film.”
Starring Manoj Bajpayee, the film also features Nushrat Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi and Divya Dutta.
