James Cameron's highly-awaited film Avatar: The Way of Water is set to enter theatres on December 16 amid great excitement. An exclusive preview of the film was held recently in Mumbai, which saw the attendance of some of the most prominent names from the industry, including Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kartik Aaryan, Varun Dhawan, directors Anand L Rai, R Balki, Nitesh & Ashwini Tiwari, Anubhav Sinha and many more.
Adipurush director Om Raut was also among the attendee. After watching the film, he shared his reaction to it in a video that was shared by 20th Century Fox. Heaping praises on the film, Raut said, “I think it's a phenomenal experience watching this film, especially in IMAX 3D.”
As soon as the video surfaced online, netizens did not waste a single moment and started trolling Om Raut for his reaction to Avatar: The Way of Water. They said that he must learn something from it for his upcoming directorial venture Adipurush.
A comment read, "Seeing Om specifically put emphasis on the word “3D” gave me a laugh. Looks like he learned what a movie specifically made to watch in “3D” actually means.”
Another user stated that Avatar 2 could be the reason why Adipurush is currently being reshot. “The reason why Om started to reshoot Adipurush, the user wrote.
A third user wrote, "Seeing Om Raut saying its visuals are mind-blowing makes me cry.”
For those not in the know, the official teaser of Adipurush received severe backlash from the audience for its cartoonish VFX and poor CGI.
Adipurush stars Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. Earlier slated to release on January 12, 2023, the film has been postponed to June 16, 2023, as the makers needed time to rework its VFX.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
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.