A recent Instagram post from Deepika Padukone criticising the Oscars got global attention, but few seem to have noticed it also revealed just how clueless many big-name Bollywood celebrities like her are.
In the short video clip, Padukone called out the Academy Awards for repeatedly snubbing Indian films and talent, using a montage of titles such as All We Imagine As Light, Laapataa Ladies, Tumbbad, and The Lunchbox to illustrate her point. While her suggestion that the popular awards ceremony has consistently overlooked Indian cinema may appear valid, a closer look shows that she is blaming the wrong people.
Kani Kusruti in 'All We Imagine As Light'Youtube/ LUXBOX
Each country is allowed to submit one film into the Best International Feature category at the Oscars – and India consistently gets it wrong. Whether it is backing a sub-standard effort fronted by a star, submitting a copied production, or overlooking far more deserving films, the fault lies squarely with the Indian selection jury.
The films in her montage offer the perfect snapshot of how absurd the country’s official choices have been.
Globally acclaimed drama The Lunchbox would have been an outstanding submission and may well have secured an Oscar nomination, if not a win. The 2013 romance, headlined by Irrfan Khan and Nimrat Kaur, connected with non-Asian audiences in a way few other Hindi films have managed. It received a standing ovation at Cannes and rave reviews across the board. Yet, instead of submitting The Lunchbox, the jury chose a microbudget Gujarati film, The Good Road – a selection that, unsurprisingly, attracted little attention and failed to make the shortlist.
Irrfan Khan in 'The Lunchbox'Youtube/ Sony Pictures Classics
In 2012, the jury submitted Barfi – despite the fact that it had shamelessly lifted scenes from several well-known films, including The Notebook. The following years saw similarly baffling choices. Newton (2017) was marred by plagiarism allegations, and Gully Boy (2019) was criticised for resembling a weaker version of the 2002 Hollywood film 8 Mile.
Period folk horror Tumbbad (2018) would have made for a bold and original submission – but it too was ignored and never became eligible in the international category.
Padukone also highlighted All We Imagine As Light, which swept major awards at international festivals including Cannes, and was nominated at both the BAFTAs and Golden Globes. Yet India chose not to submit it for the 2025 Oscars, opting instead for Laapataa Ladies, which has faced accusations of lifting its central premise from the 1999 Indian television film Ghunghat Ke Pat Khol.
In the same video, Padukone reflected on being in the audience when RRR won best original song in 2023 and described it as an emotional and historic moment. What she failed to mention is that RRR – despite being India’s most hyped film of 2022 and making a global impact – was snubbed by its own country. It was not submitted as the official Oscar entry.
Stories like these span decades. India has submitted 57 films and received only three nominations – with no wins – despite being the most prolific filmmaking nation in the world.
If more high-profile figures like Deepika Padukone start to understand the problem lies within the Indian system itself, real change may finally happen. Pointing the finger elsewhere will not fix a deeply flawed selection process that continues to deny Indian cinema the recognition it deserves.
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.