Pratik Gandhi is a big name in the Gujarati film industry and he became a household name all over India and even internationally after playing the lead role in Sony Liv’s series Scam: 1992. Gandhi has played supporting roles in some Hindi films, but now he has made his Bollywood debut as a lead with the movie Bhavai.
Bhavai is about Raja Ram (Gandhi) who stays in a small village in Gujarat. One day a drama company comes to his village to perform Ram Leela. Raja Ram, who wants to become an actor, gets an opportunity to play the role of Raavan in Ram Leela. But, what will happen if the on-stage Raavan and Sita fall in love with each other in real life?
The movie is written and directed by Hardik Gajjar who has earlier helmed many Indian TV shows (especially mythological shows) and even a web series. The story of Bhavai is good, and the concept of on-stage Raavan and Sita falling in love in real life is interesting. While the film is set in earlier times, it has many things that are still relevant.
The first half of the movie is very strong; it keeps us engaged. But, the movie falters a bit in the second half, and we also expected the climax to be stronger.
Gajjar's narration style surely reminds us of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movies. While of course, Bhavai is not as grand as Bhansali’s films, but some scenes will remind of the ace filmmaker’s movies. The Ram Leela scenes are also shot very well.
The best element of the film is clearly the music composed by Shabbir Ahmed. The songs as well as the background score are simply excellent. We are sure after watching the film you will be listening to the songs on repeat.
Gandhi has proved his mettle as an actor in many Gujarati films, and now, he makes a fantastic Bollywood debut with Bhavai. His performance is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the film. Aindrita Ray looks beautiful in the movie and has performed wonderfully. The supporting actors, Flora Saini, Rajesh Sharma, Abhimanyu Singh, and Ankur Bhatia are damn good in their respective roles.
Overall, Bhavai is a decent film and you can surely watch it once.
Ratings: 3/5
Watch the trailer here…
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.