The Bombay High Court has allowed the release of the film Hamare Baarah after the makers agreed to make some changes.
The Bombay High Court had viewed the film and noted on Tuesday that it had nothing objectionable against the Muslim community. It had suggested changes to certain scenes.
The petitioners consented not to oppose the release after the requisite changes are made.
A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court to stop the release of the Annu-Kapoor starrer film Hamare Baarah. The petition alleged that the trailer of the film insults Islamic beliefs.
The Supreme Court had put a stay on the release of the film and asked the Bombay High Court to decide the petition.
The Bombay High Court bench said on Tuesday that they had watched the film and objectionable words and scenes have been removed.
Fazrul Rehman Sheikh, the advocate of the petitioners, had told the media that the court was of the opinion that the movie gives a good social message.
"A stay had been imposed on the film Hamare Baarah because of the controversial dialogues in the film. The judges of the HC watched the film after which, they were of the opinion that the film gives a good social message and it is not what it has been projected as..."
He said the High Court noted that the trailer was very offensive.
"Some dialogues have been asked to be censored... The order will be passed tomorrow after putting all observations in a consensus... The HC said that the trailer was very offensive and it should not have been released the way it was... The trailer and the message of the movie are drastically different.," Fazrul Rehman Sheikh added.
The court also told the petitioner's lawyer that "it was wrong to comment without watching the movie. You are commenting by looking at the poster."
The court also said, “Filmmakers should also be careful what they put out. They cannot hurt the sentiments of any religion."
Regarding the trailer, the court criticized its offensive nature and emphasized the disparity between the trailer's depiction and the film's content. Virender Bhagat, the film's producer, confirmed the removal of the contentious trailer.
"The misunderstanding has been resolved. The judges watched the film and said that it is about women empowerment. The offensive trailer has been removed," Bhagat remarked in an interview with ANI.
Hamare Baarah, jointly produced by Birender Bhagat, Ravi S Gupta, Sanjay Nagpal, and Sheo Balak Singh, is directed by Kamal Chandra.
The film features Annu Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, and Paritosh Tripathi in pivotal roles.
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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.