New Delhi, Feb 10 "Ghooskhor Pandat" will be renamed, the filmmakers told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday following the controversy over its title, which was alleged by many to be casteist. Manoj Pandey's film, starring Manoj Bajpayee, joins a long list of Hindi films that have changed their titles, removed, or muted words from their songs after facing criticism from various groups.
Here are some major films that have done so:
-- "Padmavati" to "Padmaavat": Sanjay Leela Bhansali faced various challenges while making his 2018 film, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, including vandalism, burning of sets, and threats of the film being banned.
The BJP and the Karni Sena claimed that the film depicted Queen Padmavati in a negative light. Protests continued despite assurances from Bhansali, who also faced objections from Muslim groups for misrepresenting Allauddin Khilji. The censor board, which had already cleared the film, reviewed it again and suggested a title change from "Padmavati" to "Padmaavat". Both Bhansali and Padukone received death threats.
--"Billu Barber" to "Billu": Produced by Shah Rukh Khan and starring Irrfan as a barber, the 2009 film faced criticism for using the word "barber" in its title, which many considered to be casteist. The film was directed by Priyadarshan. The Mumbai Hairdressers' Associations objected to the title, prompting Shah Rukh to change it.
The superstar, who also appeared in a cameo in the film, invited the association members to the premiere. Irrfan Khan plays a village barber whose childhood friend is now a superstar and is filming near his village.
--"Laxmmi Bomb" to "Laxmmi": The 2020 Akshay Kumar-Kiara Advani film, directed by Raghava Lawrence, revolves around a man who is possessed by a transgender ghost seeking justice. The makers had to change the title after the Karni Sena, a fringe group, sent a legal notice alleging that they were being disrespectful to Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.
--"Ram-Leela" to "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela": Sanjay Leela Bhansali had to change the title of this 2013 film, starring Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, again. Singh and Padukone played star-crossed lovers, Ram and Leela, from two warring gangster families of Gujarat, inspired by William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet".
The Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the makers to change the title as many religious groups objected to the names "Ram and Leela". The film faced protests and threats of bans but was released with Bhansali adding the words "Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram Leela".
--"Mental Hai Kya" to "Judgementall Hai Kya": The 2019 Kangana Ranaut-Rajkummar Rao film, produced by Ekta Kapoor, had to change its title after the Indian Psychiatric Society deemed the original title insensitive to those suffering from mental health issues. The story revolves around Kangana's character, who has been in and out of mental asylums.
--"Loveratri" to "Loveyatri": The 2018 film, which marked the debut of Salman Khan's brother-in-law, Aayush Sharma, and Warina Hussain, faced protests for its title, which some considered disrespectful to the Navaratri festival. The film, produced by Salman Khan Films, is set during the Garba festival. The title of the film was changed from "Loveratri" to "Loveyatri" to avoid trouble.
--"Satyanarayan Ki Katha" to "Satyaprem Ki Katha": Starring Kartik Aryan and Kiara Advani, the 2023 film had to opt for a title change to avoid hurting religious sentiments as Satyanarayan is another name for the Hindi god Vishnu. Director Sameer Vidwans said in a statement that the original title emerged through an organic process but they were ready to change it.
--"Prithviraj" to "Samrat Prithviraj": The 2022 Yash Raj Films project starring Akshay Kumar is inspired by Chand Vardai's stories. It revolves around the story of king Prithviraj and his love story with Sanyogita. After the Karni Sena objected to the title, the makers added the word "Samrat".
--"Aaja Nachle": The song in this 2007 Madhuri Dixit starrer produced by Yash Raj Films had to remove the word "mochi" after former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati banned the movie, calling its lyrics casteist. The production banner changed the lyrics after the controversy.
--"Dhan Te Naan" from "Kaminey": Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj had to mute the word 'teli' in the song from the 2009 film as the community objected to it being a casteist slur. The censor board then asked the makers to change it and the word was replaced by "dilli".
--"Radha" song from "Student of the Year": This 2012 Karan Johar film marked the debut of Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and Sidharth Malhotra. It had to change a line in the lyrics of the 'Radha on the dance floor' as religious groups objected to the word 'sexy'. It was later replaced with the word 'desi'.