As Vicky Kaushalcelebrates his 36th birthday today on May 16, it is essential to acknowledge his incredible journey in cinema. Rising to mainstream fame with his standout performance in Uri: The Surgical Strike, Vicky broke stereotypes and showcased his versatility. Now, with his latest release, Sam Bahadur, which has already broken records on ZEE5 Global, Vicky continues to push boundaries and engage audiences worldwide. On his special day, let's explore four of his best titles available on ZEE5 Global.
Sam Bahadur
Witness the exemplary story of Sam Manekshaw, who led a new India through 3 major wars until 1971 and became the 1st-ever Indian Army officer to get promoted to the rank of India's 1st field marshal. Vicky Kaushal's portrayal of the legendary Sam Manekshaw in this highly anticipated biopic was spot-on, earning him acclaim for his exceptional performance.
Uri: The Surgical Strike
The movie revolves around the surgical strike executed by the Indian Army on suspected militants who attacked an army base in Uri, Jammu, and Kashmir, in 2016. Vicky Kaushal shines as Major Vihaan Singh Shergill, leading a daring operation against militants in Uri. His portrayal of courage and determination earned him widespread acclaim and solidified his position as one of Bollywood's most promising talents.
Manmarziyaan
Manmarziyaan is a Hindi romantic movie starring Taapsee Pannu, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vicky Kaushal. Set in Amritsar, the movie is a love triangle. Rumi and Vicky, who are in love, are caught by Rumi’s parents and pressured to get married. However, Vicky is unwilling to commit. A frustrated Rumi agrees to an arranged marriage with Robbie. What ensues is a muddled love triangle. Who will Rumi finally choose? Vicky Kaushal’s charming and layered portrayal adds depth to the film, making it a must-watch for fans of heartfelt storytelling.
Raman Raghav 2.0
Explore Vicky Kaushal's darker side in this psychological thriller directed by Anurag Kashyap. Playing the role of a cop on the hunt for a deranged serial killer, Vicky delivers a haunting performance that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Ramanna, a serial killer, takes interest in Raghavan, a cop with drug addiction. Ramanna sees Raghavan committing two murders. Despite repeated attempts, police fail to nab Ramanna. Later, he confronts Raghavan and makes him realise how they both are similar and complete each other.
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.