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Bollywood once again finds itself at the centre of controversy, with two separate films drawing sharp criticism and triggering boycott demands. While actor Manoj Bajpayee’s upcoming film Ghuskhor Pandit has come under fire over its title, a scene from another film, Godaan, has ignited outrage for allegedly promoting communal hatred.

The first controversy surrounds Ghuskhor Pandit, whose first look was recently unveiled. The film stars Manoj Bajpayee in the role of a corrupt police officer who discovers a young woman thrown from a moving vehicle and, in trying to uncover her identity, becomes entangled in an international conspiracy. Directed by Ritesh Shah, the film marks another collaboration between Bajpayee and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey. The cast also includes Nusrat Bharucha, Saqib Saleem, Akshay Oberoi, and Divya Dutta.

However, soon after the teaser release, the film’s title became the focal point of criticism on social media, with several users alleging that the use of the word “Pandit” promotes caste-based stereotyping. The matter escalated in Bhopal, where members of the All India Brahmin Society staged a protest against the film. Society president Purushottam Mishra strongly condemned the title, stating that it was shameful for Brahmin filmmakers and actors to associate with such a project. He demanded that the title be changed and even called for action against the streaming platform involved. A petition has reportedly been filed, seeking legal intervention over the film’s name.

Meanwhile, a separate storm has erupted around a scene from the film Godaan. In the controversial sequence, a policeman is shown pointing a gun at a man wearing a cap while making derogatory remarks. The clip has gone viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism. Religious leaders from Deoband have objected strongly, with cleric Maulana Qari Ishaq Gora accusing Bollywood of deliberately creating content that fuels hatred. He has appealed to members of the Muslim community and the wider public to boycott the film, alleging that it promotes social discord.

As of now, the makers of Godaan have not issued an official statement, and it remains unclear whether the contentious scene will be edited or removed.