The 78th Cannes Film Festival is set to kick off on May 13, and this year’s lineup is a strong mix of familiar names and fresh talent. Festival head Thierry Frémaux and president Iris Knobloch revealed the Official Selection at a press event in Paris, mentioning 19 films competing for the Palme d’Or and a record number of entries, over 2,900.
Among the big names returning to the Croisette are Wes Anderson, the Dardenne Brothers, Richard Linklater, and Julia Ducournau. Ducournau, who made waves in 2021 with her Palme d’Or-winning Titane, is back with Alpha. Wes Anderson’s latest, The Phoenician Scheme, is a spy comedy with a star-studded cast including Benicio del Toro and Michael Cera.
The Dardenne Brothers, two-time Palme winners, return for a tenth time with The Young Mother’s Home, set in a shelter for young mothers. Other notable entries include Richard Linklater’s French-language film Nouvelle Vague, about the making of Godard’s Breathless, and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, a family drama reuniting him with actor Renate Reinsve.
This year’s Competition sees six women directors, including Hafsia Herzi, Kelly Reichardt, Carla Simon, Mascha Schilinski, Chie Hayakawa, and Ducournau. Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) makes his Competition debut with Eddington, a Western starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal set during a pandemic-era power struggle.
India finds a place in the Un Certain Regard section with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound. Ghaywan had earlier made a strong mark with Masaan in 2015, which also played in the same category. Details about Homebound are still under wraps, but the selection continues a steady presence for Indian filmmakers at Cannes.
Actor-directors Scarlett Johansson and Harris Dickinson also debut in the Un Certain Regard category with their films Eleanor The Great and Urchin respectively. The section, known for championing rising voices, includes films from across the globe, from Gaza to Japan.
French star Juliette Binoche will lead this year’s Competition jury, marking two consecutive years of women jury presidents. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise returns to Cannes for the world premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
From political thrillers to deeply personal stories, the 2025 line-up reflects both the pulse of global cinema and the changing tides of storytelling, and it is a good sign.
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.