Ajay Devgn starrer Bhuj: The Pride Of India has started streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. It is undoubtedly one of the biggest films to get a direct-to-release during the pandemic.
The movie is set against the backdrop of the Indo-Pak war of 1971. During the war, Pakistan attacks the Bhuj IAF airbase and destroys it. They plan to enter India through Kutch and to stop the Pakistani army; a few Indian soldiers reach Vighakot Post. However, the Pakistani army has more soldiers and they even have war tanks with them.
So, now India needs more soldiers at Vighakot Post, and they can only reach there by flying to Bhuj IAF base. The movie moves forward showcasing that how IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik (Devgn), Sunderben (Sonakshi Sinha), and other local villagers reconstruct the IAF base in Bhuj.
The basic concept of Bhuj: The Pride Of India is interesting, and it clearly had the potential to be good film. But, the screenplay and direction are not up to the mark.
The movie looks cluttered; too many things are happening at the same time, and director Abhishek Dudhaiya has failed to narrate it properly. There are no scenes that will give you an adrenaline rush, and make you excite about what will happen next. It’s a war drama showcasing an iconic moment that took place in the history of India, but unfortunately the patriotic feel is missing here.
Talking about performances, Ajay Devgn and Sonakshi Sinha are good in their respective parts. But other actors are totally wasted. Sanjay Dutt has a couple of good action scenes, but we expected more from his character. Nora Fatehi has tried something different this time, but she fails to shine. Ammy Virk and Sharad Kelkar are good actors but the film doesn’t do justice to their talent, and Pranitha Subhash has nothing to do in the movie.
Coming to music, the makers have mostly edited out all the songs from the movie (Bhai Bhai, Rammo Rammo, Coca Cola), and even the background score isn’t great.
Overall, Bhuj: The Pride Of India had a good concept, but the writers and the director failed to turn it into a good film.
Ratings: 1.5/5
Watch the trailer here…
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.