Ram Madhvani has earlier directed Neerja (film) and Aarya (series). Both the projects were simply amazing and the filmmaker got the best out of Sonam Kapoor (Neerja) and Sushmita Sen (Aarya). Madhvani’s recent directorial Dhamaka starring Kartik Aaryan has started streaming on Netflix, and once again he has impressed us a lot with his narration.
Dhamaka is about Arjun Pathak (Aaryan) who worked as a prime time anchor but he was demoted and worked as a radio jockey. One morning, he gets a call and a person tells him that he is going to do a bomb blast at Sea Link (a bridge in Mumbai). Pathak thinks that it’s a prank call, but the blast happens. Pathak tells his boss (Amruta Subhash) that he will report this on the TV channel and will speak to the terrorist live. Will this exclusive story of Arjun Pathak help him in his career or it will be a big gamble for him? Well, watch the movie to know that.
The film is a remake of the South Korean movie The Terror Live. As I have not seen the original movie, Dhamaka is a fresh film for me, and Madhvani has narrated the movie brilliantly. From the first scene to the last one, it keeps us hooked, and keeps you on the edge-of-the-seat for those 1 hour 44 minutes.
Madhvani got the best out from Kapoor and Sen, and he has surely given Aaryan his career’s best movie. Aaryan has performed fantastically in the film, and we won’t be surprised if he wins awards for his act in Dhamaka. Mrunal Thakur is damn good in her special appearance and leaves a mark. Amruta Subhash is excellent in her role as the TV channel head who only thinks of TRPs.
The background score of Dhamaka is good and you will surely listen to the track Khoya Paaya on repeat after watching the film. A special mention to Puneet Sharma for his lyrics.
Overall, Dhamaka is a mind-blowing film. A must watch!
Ratings: 4/5
Watch the trailer here…
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.