We won’t be wrong if we say that cricket is the most loved sport in India. Whenever there’s a match where India is playing everyone is glued to the TV screens. Bollywood filmmakers have explored cricket on the big screen a lot by offering different stories revolving around the sport.
So, today let’s look at the list of Hindi films that were based on cricket…
Lagaan
When we talk about movies based on cricket in Bollywood, the first one in the list has to be Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan. The fictional story about a match between villagers of India and the Britishers was loved by everyone. The movie was India’s official entry at the Oscars and was also nominated in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.
Iqbal
Nagesh Kukunoor’s directorial Iqbal which marked Shreyas Talpade’s debut in Bollywood was an inspiring film. The movie was about a deaf and mute guy who dreams to play for the Indian cricket team. Kukunoor narrated the story beautifully and Talpade acted very well in it. If you are a fan of cricket then you should watch Iqbal at least once.
Patiala House
Akshay Kumar starrer Patiala House told the story of a man from London who wants to play cricket. But as he is from the UK, he can’t play for India and his father is not allowing him to play for England. The movie showcases Akshay’s character’s passion for cricket and how his family helps him to fulfill his dream.
Dil Bole Hadippa
Why should boys have all the fun? Most of the movies based on cricket have male protagonist, but 2009 release Dil Bole Hadippa was different. The lead character was a girl who was so passionate about cricket that she decides to play the sport by cross-dressing as a guy. Though the film didn’t do well at the box office, Rani Mukerji’s performance was appreciated a lot.
Azhar
Azhar starring Emraan Hashmi was a biopic on former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. It showcased the highs and lows of the cricketer and when the movie released it received mixed reviews. A lot of people claimed that the film was just an image-washing for Azharuddin.
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most famous cricketers. It was truly an amazing experience to witness his life story on the big screen. Neeraj Pandey’s M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story starring Sushant Singh Rajput was a big hit at the box office and it is regarded as one of the best biopics made in Bollywood.
The Zoya Factor
Soon, we will be witnessing one more film on the big screen that would revolve around cricket. We are talking about The Zoya Factor. The film starring Sonam Kapoor and Dulquer Salmaan will tell the story of a girl who becomes a lucky charm for the Indian cricket team. The Zoya Factor is slated to release on 20th September 2019.
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.