HIT comedy-drama Dream Girl worked because the premise of a man pretending to be an attractive woman on a phoneline, who gains multiple male suitors, was believable. The spiritual sequel is a lazy attempt to recycle that same story troupe in a way that just doesn’t work.
This time around, Ayushmann Khurrana plays a young man, who dresses up in drag to raise some much needed money. While pretending to be a woman, he finds himself becoming the object of affection, with various unsuspecting men trying to woo him. At the same time, he himself is trying to get married to the woman he loves.
The outdated comedy of errors just doesn’t work because it isn’t believable on any level. The ridiculous writing largely relies on lead star Khurrana looking so convincing as a woman that multiple men would fall in love with him, but that definitely isn’t the case.
It also goes down the well-trodden path of a man trying to raise some quick cash, which has been done countless times before.
All this leads towards a predictable story that gradually becomes annoying as the film progresses. The crude humour and jokes just don’t land in a badly made film with plot-holes you can fly a plane through. It kind of puts across the notion that men are so lustful that they mistake someone obviously in drag as some sort of dream girl.
The male writing team’s portrayal of a dream girl shows they have zero understanding of women. The poor music drags that film down even further. There is also overacting from an entire cast trying to inject some sort of life into this awful effort. Ultimately, this is a sequel that just wasn’t needed and is one that should be avoided. It really is that bad
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.