The makers of the eagerly awaited genre-bending thriller Encounter, featuring Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor Riz Ahmed in the lead role, have unveiled the teaser of the upcoming film.
Directed by Michael Pearce, Encounter is a mix of science-fiction, psychological thriller and family drama. The film tells the story of ex-Marine Malik Khan (Ahmed) who goes on a treacherous journey with his two young sons in order to protect them from an unknown force. In addition to Ahmed, the film also features Octavia Spencer, Rory Cochrane, Lucian-River Chauhan, and Aditya Geddada in important roles.
The teaser opens with Ahmed holding a sniper rifle as he tells his son to stay put and count to a very high number. In the rest of the teaser, several images from the film flash on the screen as the young boy keeps on counting numbers in the background. It appears Ahmed's character is trying everything possible to protect his sons from a mysterious threat.
The Amazon Studios’ film will mark the acting debut of child actor Aditya Geddada. The young actor landed the lead role in the film after his very first audition at just seven years old. Talking about him, Pearce had said earlier that he earned the role because he is “this firecracker of energy and charm.”
Encounter had its world premiere earlier this month at the Telluride Film Festival and will have its international premiere on September 10th at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film is slated for a limited theatrical release on December 3 before premiering on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
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.