Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has issued an official clarification after filing a writ petition in the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the release and streaming of the upcoming Netflix film. Infiltrator Pandit. The petition alleges that the title and promotional material of the film is derogatory and insulting to the Brahmin community.
Ghooskhor Pandit director Neeraj Pandey breaks silence after petition filed against Manoj Bajpayee starrer: “We have decided to remove all promotional materials…”
In a statement shared publicly, Pandey emphasized that Infiltrator Pandit is a fictional police drama and the word “Pandat” only refers to a colloquial nickname of a fictional character and not to any caste, religion or community.
Pandey said, “Our film is a fictional police drama, and the word ‘Pandat’ is used only as a colloquial name for a fictional character. The story focuses on the actions and choices of an individual and does not comment on or represent any caste, religion or community.”
The director emphasized his responsibility as a storyteller and said that the film was made with true intentions and purely to entertain. He said, “As a filmmaker, I approach my work with a deep sense of responsibility – to tell stories that are thoughtful and respectful. This film, like my earlier work, is made with honest intentions and solely to entertain the audience.”
Acknowledging the concerns raised by a section of the audience, Pandey said that the team understands the hurt the title has caused and confirmed that all promotional material has been temporarily removed.
The statement read, “We understand that the title of the film may have offended some viewers, and we truly acknowledge those feelings. In light of these concerns, we have decided to remove all promotional material for the time being, as we believe the film should be experienced in its entirety and understood in the context of the story we want to tell, rather than judging partial glimpses.”
The legal challenge, filed by Mahendra Chaturvedi on February 5, 2026, seeks to ban the release and streaming of the film, arguing that the title Infiltrator Pandit A word traditionally associated with scholarship and spirituality is associated with corruption, leading to loss of dignity of the Brahmin community. Concern has also been expressed in the petition regarding collective defamation and communal harmony.
Infiltrator PanditStarring Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role of a police officer, nicknamed “Pandat”, it was announced as part of Netflix’s 2026 content slate. Netflix India and the streaming platform have not yet issued separate responses to the petition. Pandey concluded, “I look forward to sharing the film with audiences soon.”
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