JOANNA SCANLAN, who won the best actress award at the BAFTAs for her role in After Love, paid tribute to the film director Aleem Khan and his mother.
Scanlan, 60, plays a widow who discovers her late husband’s secret family in the drama, which she said was made with “blood, sweat and tears”.
“Aleem Khan wrote this film. He directed this film. And I want to say to his mother, his inspiration, Fazia, is my inspiration as well,” Scanlan said in her speech at the ceremony last night (13).
After Love, which was theatrically released in June last year, was inspired by Khan’s mother who met her Pakistani husband in London. She converted to Islam after getting married and followed Muslim traditions.
Khan previously admitted that he put his mother in “a fictional scenario and in jeopardy”.
While her life and the plot resemble initially, the film, however, is not autobiographical.
“This film is made with an incredible crew,” the lead actress said and praised the producer, Matthieu de Braconier.
In December last year, Khan won British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) for the direction and screenplay of After Love, which also won the best film award.
Sunday’s BAFTAs ceremony, hosted by Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson, returned as a usual glitzy red carpet event at London's Royal Albert Hall, following a virtual event last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dark Western The Power of the Dog scooped the top two BAFTAs, winning best film and director for Jane Campion, while sci-fi epic Dune picked up the most prizes, including for special effects. The winning team had a shoutout for their office in Mumbai.
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.