Netflix has officially released the trailer for its upcoming crime thriller Awesome Nightstarring Manoj Bajpayee, following a significant title change.
Watch Trailer: ⇓
Originally announced in Feb 2026 as Ghooskhor Pandasthe project sparked strong criticism and legal action. Opponents argued that coupling “Ghooskhor” (bribe-taker) with “Pandat” stereotyped the Brahmin community and hurt religious sentiments.
The backlash led to an FIR in Lucknow, objections from industry bodies, and petitions before the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. Director Neeraj Pandey clarified that the term referred to a fictional character’s nickname rather than a caste.
However, to respect public sentiments, the makers formally withdrew the initial name and promotional materials in court.
Directed by Ritesh Shah and produced by Neeraj Pandey’s Friday Storytellers, Awesome Night follows a morally torn police officer navigating a high-stakes investigation over a single chaotic night.
The film also features Divya Dutta, Nushratt Bharuccha, Saqib Saleem, and Akshay Oberoi. Following the resolution of the title controversy, the suspense thriller is set to premiere globally on Netflix on Oct 23, 2026.