The much-anticipated social-comedy Dasvi is set for a direct-to-digital release on Netflix and Jio Cinema on April 7, the makers announced on Monday.
Though theatres in India have been allowed to function at full capacity, several filmmakers are still taking the digital route to release their films. Dasvi is the latest Bollywood flick that is skipping theatrical release for a digital premiere.
Directed by newcomer Tushar Jalota, the film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur, and Yami Gautam, among others.
The streamers shared the release date of the film on their respective Twitter handles.
Dasvi is written by Ritesh Shah, Suresh Nair, and Sandeep Leyzell. Ram Bajpai is credited for the story. Poet and former Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas has served as script and dialogue consultant.
The film went on floors in February 2021. It is produced by Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films in association with Leyzell and Shobhana Yadav's Bake My Cake Films.
Dasvi is presented by Jio Studios and Maddock Films.
Nimrat Kaur, who will be seen in a completely new avatar in the film, celebrated her 40th birthday on 13th March 2021, with her family. Talking about the same, she told a publication, “Well, I'm out with my family for a staycation near Jaipur and we've all met after years. My two sisters, my brother-in-law, my parents, all of us and got together after three years. Since the pandemic hit the world, we all couldn't get together. So it's really, really special. It's a very invigorating time to be with the family. And I'm also on a personal note, I love being in Rajasthan because that is where I was born. It's my birth state. So it's really special to be here to be celebrating my birthday. Two days ago, I went to the Dargah Shareef in Ajmer. Again, I haven't been there in about three, four years now. That was extremely special as well. Really, it's very, very lovely for me to be here.”
Dasvi premieres on April 7, 2021.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.