The classic Indian love story of Laila and Majnu is set to be retold by filmmaker Sajid Ali. And what makes the film Laila Majnu even more special is the fact that it has been written by Ali’s brother and renowned writer-director Imtiaz Ali.
Recently, Imtiaz Ali's close friend, Anurag Kashyap hosted the first preview of the much-anticipated movie in Mumbai, which saw the overwhelming presence of many writers and filmmakers from the industry.
Everyone who saw the movie could not stop raving about debutants, Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri and director, Sajid Ali.
Blockbuster filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani said, “Both the newcomers were fantastic and it didn’t feel like it is their debut performances. Romance runs in Imtiaz Ali’s family, and we can feel that in Sajid’s way of directing a love saga like this one. I wish them all the best”
Vikramaditya Motwani also found the film to be quite impressive, “I loved the film. It’s got a lot of soul. The actors are amazing. The score is fantastic, and the songs are beautiful. Well done team!”
Abhishek Chaubey enjoyed every bit of the film. “I really enjoyed the film, both the leads are amazingly impressive and the audience is in for a sweet surprise,” he said.
Anurag Kashyap took to Twitter to heap praises on the film and its actors and director. "Laila Majnu is such a heartfelt retelling of the love story, so deeply rooted in its milieu. Avinash Tiwary’s Majnu is so good, “another addition to a list of good actors. Great music. Well done Sajid Ali. Yeh Romance kya genetic hai Ali khandan mein?#imtiazali."
If you are also excited to watch the film after reading these words, don’t forget to catch it in cinemas on 7th September.
Presented by Imtiaz Ali and co-produced by Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor and Preety Ali, Laila Majnu is made under the banners of Balaji Motion Pictures and PI Films.
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.