Ajay Devgn starrer Bhuj: The Pride of India started streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on Friday (13). The film has received a mixed response from the critics as well as the audiences.
The movie is set against the backdrop of Indo-Pak war of 1971, and Ajay plays the role of IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik who with the help of 300 women from a local village reconstructed an IAF airbase in Bhuj.
While talking to PTI, Ajay stated that people of India are unaware about the sacrifices made by countless heroes during the war. The actor also revealed that even he had never heard the real-life story of Bhuj until the film came to him.
He further said, "That's the problem with our country. There are such great sacrifices that people don't know about. It's not there in our history books. And if we don't talk about our sacrifices and heroes, how are we going to love our country?"
The actor feels that it's important for the audience to know about the country's history, especially, its hard earned independence. "People should know because when you get something with difficulty, you keep it close to you. If it comes easy to you, then you don't value it. If they know about these sacrifices, they will know why we are where we are. And if it makes even a two-percent difference, we are sorted. The country is sorted. Then we don't need to say, 'Oh I love my country.' You just need to respect it and it will fall into your every day duties."
While talking about how a huge group of women helped in reconstructing the IAF base in 1971, Ajay said, "They broke their houses to make a runway and I thought it was a great story to tell.”
In recent past, many period films were criticised for being jingoistic. But, Ajay says that one should know where to draw the line. He said, "You keep characters and screenplay very real. You should know where to draw the line. In our film, there's no jingoism. In Tanhaji also, there was no jingoism. They were fighting for the country but not crying that they loved their country.”
Directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, Bhuj: The Pride Of India also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjay Dutt, Nora Fatehi, Ammy Virk and Sharad Kelkar.
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.